The Mains Restaurant - Fine Dining Rotorua

On The Point – Lake Rotorua is delighted to welcome Ameya Deshmukh as our new Executive Chef, bringing a wealth of international culinary experience, creativity and passion to The Mains Restaurant. 

Ameya's culinary journey has taken him across the Middle East, the Maldives and New Zealand, where he has refined his craft in some of the world's luxury hotels and resorts, including experience with the renowned Marco Pierre White restaurant group.

With a culinary philosophy firmly grounded in classical French techniques, Ameya draws inspiration from the diverse cultures, flavours and traditions he has encountered throughout his career. His approach combines technical precision, creativity and a genuine appreciation for exceptional ingredients, with a commitment to creating memorable dining experiences.

Equally passionate about people, Ameya believes that outstanding cuisine begins with a talented, inspired and collaborative kitchen team, united by a shared dedication to excellence.

Beyond the kitchen, Ameya is a devoted family man, an enthusiastic cricket fan and an avid collector of autographed memorabilia from people who have inspired him throughout his life.

As Ameya and his family make Rotorua their home, we look forward to this exciting new chapter at The Mains Restaurant, where his international experience and culinary vision will bring a fresh perspective to our intimate lakeside dining experience.

We warmly welcome Chef Ameya to the On The Point whānau and look forward to sharing his culinary creations with our guests.

Another Rotorua boy with great skills in the kitchen.  Most recently at Third Place Café.

Scott has a huge array of experience in hotels here and all over the world including the Duxton, Novotel and the Park Hotel.   

Scott joined On The Point – Lake Rotorua as our Demi chef,  looking after our guests’ breakfasts and continuing the reputation as the best eggs benedict, not to mention his fluffy pancakes! 

His cooking skills extend to making fresh pastries, and breads which we offer to our guests all made from scratch.  Scott is married with two teenage boys and enjoys spending time pottering in his garden.

Ian Taylor was born and raised in Rotorua and has been working as a chef for nearly 21 years. He began his culinary journey through an apprenticeship at Novotel and has since built extensive experience across a range of local hospitality venues, including Bistro 1284, Cobb & Co, CBK, Te Puia, Kurious Kiwi, Leonardo's, and most recently Hello Stranger Café. He also spent a year working in the UK, gaining valuable international experience.

Ian is passionate about cooking, continuously learning, and creating new dishes. 

For him, the greatest reward is seeing people enjoy the food he serves. 

Outside the kitchen, he enjoys going to the gym, hiking with his dog, gaming, and tackling DIY projects around the house. 

Mary Ann arrived in New Zealand in July 2019 to pursue studies in culinary arts, having previously worked in the electronics industry for five years in the Philippines. 

She made the decision to change careers in pursuit of greater opportunities. Upon her arrival in New Zealand, she had no prior cooking experience, and can genuinely say that the country has had a very positive influence on her personal growth. 

She began my tourism career in the hospitality sector in housekeeping and as a front-of-house staff member. Following two years of dedicated study, she successfully obtained a full-time position as a Commis Chef at Matai. 

Her career progressed as she was promoted to Chef de Partie, and subsequently advanced to Sous-Chef at Leonardo's, and then Jr. Sous-Chef at Novotel. Her professional background encompasses work in several hotels and restaurants, where she gained valuable experience with diverse cuisines, including European, Asian Fusion, and a foundational understanding of Italian cuisine. In her personal time, 

Mary Ann finds pleasure in spending quality moments with her aunt and uncle, connecting with friends, and, most importantly, dedicating time to self-care through activities such as walking or cycling.