From the Kitchen to the Vines: The Story Behind Chef's Table

Reflections from a Hunter Valley Private Driver and Former Chef

A Life Built on Food, Wine, and Connection

Some of the best moments in life happen around a shared table — a glass of wine poured with care, a dish prepared with love, and good conversation in between. For me, that connection between food, wine, and people has always been the most rewarding part of my work.

After spending more than 17 years as a Head Chef in the Hunter Valley, I felt the pull to do something different — to get out from behind the pass and bring people closer to the land, the flavours, and the stories that make this region special. That’s how Chef’s Table began.

From the Kitchen to the Road

Sara - Chef's Table Founder

As a chef, I worked closely with local producers, winemakers, cheesemakers, and growers. I knew where the best seasonal produce came from, which vineyards quietly produced incredible vintages, and which cellar doors still pour with heart.

These relationships naturally shaped the tours I now lead — where I work not just as a Hunter Valley private driver, but as someone who’s passionate about sharing the quiet gems of the region, the people behind the labels, and the food that brings it all together.

What These Tours Really Are

I wouldn’t call Chef’s Table a typical group wine tour. It’s more like being shown around by someone who lives here, someone who's tasted from barrels with the growers, and still gets excited by a great cheese pairing.

We don’t rush through stops or tick boxes. We take time, we taste properly, and we enjoy real conversations. Sometimes that means a long chat with a winemaker, or pausing at a vineyard most people drive straight past.

I offer private and intimate group tours not just for convenience, but because that’s how you really get to know the Hunter — slowly, generously, with room for surprises.

Why the Hunter Still Inspires Me

There’s something about this region that sticks with you. Maybe it’s the stillness of the morning mist over the vines, or the way people speak about their craft with quiet pride. For me, it’s the rhythm — of the seasons, of a kitchen, of life lived close to the land.

Being a private wine tour driver in the Hunter Valley gives me a chance to keep telling these stories, to keep connecting people to this place in a way that feels honest.

An Invitation

If you’re planning a visit to the Hunter and want a quieter, more personal way to explore it — without the rush — I’d love to share a day with you. Not as a guide, but as someone who simply knows and loves this place.

You can read more about the different tours I offer at www.chefstabletours.com.au, including group wine tour driver options and fully customised private experiences.

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Sara Connors

Chef. Host. Local.

Chef’s Table Tours