Vicki Young

Vicki joined Urban List as a freelance writer in May 2024, starting off as Guest Editor for the month where she gave us a sneak peek into her life as a private chef, trained pastry chef, food stylist, recipe developer and all-round foodie travelling to Georgia (country not the state) in the search for tkemali, a Georgian plum sauce. A few months later, she slid into Urban List DMs (lol) and pitched as a regular contributor to Urban List NZ.

Vicki loves spinning a yarn with the hospo community, and sharing the power of storytelling by writing about the culinary journey of others in the Aotearoa food scene. She’s worked in front and back of house, got stuck in the dish pit, trained in patisserie, taught baking, and cooked for famous people in penthouse apartments and roaming food trucks. She’s a feeder through and through, but can also sit happily over a five hour dinner sitting with great company. Where there’s moments in food that transcend spoken word, where flavours and textures transport you to a core memory or place—Vicki is there translating that fleeting feeling into the latest listing, or article on where’s good to stick your fork into from breakfast to dessert, in Tāmaki Makaurau, over the hills and beyond. Having lived and worked in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara for 15 years before moving to the ‘09, you’ll find her writing about her love for Pōneke too, a place which will always have her heart (and appetite).

When she’s not writing, you’ll find her out at her fave wine bars, with a prime people-watching spot over golden hour, a glass of natty wine, and snacks in hand—or whipping up a feast for family and friends as a trained—and seasoned—chef (pun definitely intended).

The Good Life by Vicki

Crispy snacks + Drink in hand + Big table of laughs

Image credit: Victoria Baldwin