Nancye Pirini

Nancye Pirini is a celebrated New Zealand chef known for her fusion cooking and commitment to showcasing Māori culture through food. At 47, she has overcome a tumultuous childhood and a challenging adolescence marked by expulsion from school to become a key figure in the culinary world, having worked as an executive chef for prominent hotel restaurants. Recently named in Cuisine's Top 50 list of the most influential women in food and drink, Pirini has transitioned into a corporate role as an executive kitchen manager, seeking a more balanced lifestyle while nurturing her passion for cooking and community engagement.