He worked alongside Simon Gault at Bell House Restaurant, Pakuranga as his Restaurant Manager before joining the management team at the Auckland Parkroyal as Restaurant and Events Manager. He then moved to Puka Park Lodge as Assistant General Manager, specifically in charge of all food and beverage operations.

In April 1995 he set up the successful Café Melba in Vulcan Lane , and opened O'Connell Street Bistro in 1997. O'Connell Street Bistro reflects Chris' passion for food and wine and is the only restaurant in Auckland to receive the prestigious Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the last four years running.

Chris has also recently been on the grading/judging panel of Wine New Zealand magazine.

Chris sold Café Melba in August 2001, and set up Prime Bistro and Espresso Bar in April 2002. He met his partner Amanda in 1991 and together they have worked in the hospitality industry, and then in all three restaurants together. Amanda has a background in hotel management and now assists Chris in the financial management of the restaurants.