Our People are Hot too!

Jonathan Bisley

Owner

Flame Favourite: Chicken Caeser Salad

Trained in London as a chef, after working in restaurants, Jonathan returned to NZ and set up a catering business in Auckland - feeding over 500,000 people in 1 year alone. Never one to sit still, Jonathan was founder of The Good Taste Company - answering the need for pre-prepared, great tasting, restaurant quality products for consumers. Fast forward 20 years after selling The Good Taste Company and then working with international supermarket chains building food and meat manufacturing solutions, Jonathan and his wife Lou moved to Queenstown, following their combined dream of living amongst the mountains. Jonathan's passionate pursuit of quality and excellence keeps him awake at night but keeps the Flame fire burning bright!

Lou McDowell

Owner

Flame Favourite: Mushroom Sauce....on everything!

Soon after moving to Queenstown, Lou was taken to Flame by a friend  and was so impressed by the experience said to Jonathan, if ever there was a restaurant in Queenstown that we wanted to own - Flame would be it. Be careful what you wish for.......and by 2016, the wish materialised. A self confessed serial entrepreneur, Lou is Jonathan's wingman at Flame, closely working over all areas of the business, stoking the fire and lovingly honouring its legacy. 

Chris Hogan

General Manager

Flame Favourite: Mozambique Prawns

Having spent 15 years pursuing a career in international resort management, with kids reaching schooling age Chris and his family decided to make Queenstown home in 2011.  Being a keen skier and hiker, the move has met all of his expectations and Queenstown is now well and truly home. This move was further reinforced when he joined the Flame team. Currently he can't wait to see what 2022 brings - with Flame and his emerging Rally Car Racing career! Don't expect to see him at Flame on powder days.

Charlie Wheeler

Restaurant Manager

Charlie has been in Senior leadership roles in Hospitality for the over 8 years, both in the UK, Australia and more recently New Zealand. Charlie arrived in NZ in 2020 and quickly became an integral part of the Flame launch into the Steamer Wharf and our management team. His passion for this industry revolves around fast paced, high-quality, high-volume dining venues which consistently strive to be the best. Flame and Charlie are a perfect fit!

Shane Avant

Executive Consultant Chef

Flame Favourite: 55 day aged beef fillet with peppercorn sauce.

Shane is an international, award winning kiwi executive chef. He has spent the last 25 years honing his craft in high end, luxury kitchens all over the world. After training In NZ  - Shane cut his teeth at some of New Zealand’s most iconic restaurants, under some of the greatest chef mentors. Shane’s extraordinary skill and passion then took him from New Zealand to Australia, Fiji, France, Maldives, UK and Japan. He won international awards- representing his country and the Asia-Pacific region. No small feat. His style is based in the classics, but with a modern palette and international influence. His flavours are bold, while always respecting tradition.

Frances Conner

Business Manager

Flame Favourite: Fillet Steak and Mushroom Sauce

Starting 30 years ago in the industry, managing a restaurant here in Queenstown on the Mall, Frances is a true veteran of the early days of hospitality in Queenstown. For the last 10 years Frances has been a true part of the fabric of Flame and is indeed the most loved ! Oh....and she likes tequila too!