About Us

Cheers Private Catering is led by Lucie Hastings, a Waiheke Island hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience in catering, food production and hospitality.

Before settling on Waiheke Island, Lucie spent a number of years working across the hospitality and hotel industry in Europe, gaining experience in different countries and food cultures. This early career included work in restaurants, hotels and bars, where she developed strong foundations in professional service, kitchen operations and event hospitality.

Since moving to Waiheke Island, Lucie has worked at several of the island’s well-known vineyards, restaurants and hospitality venues, gaining valuable experience in both high-end dining environments and large event catering.

A Broad Style of Catering

Through this experience, Lucie developed a catering approach that is flexible and suited to many different types of events.

Cheers Private Catering can provide anything from:
• Multi-course fine dining experiences
• Private chef dinners and intimate gatherings
• Wedding and corporate catering
• Casual outdoor events
• Island-style barbecues and spit roasts

This range allows the team to create events that suit both elegant celebrations and relaxed Waiheke gatherings.

European Heritage and Balkan Influences

Lucie originally comes from the Czech Republic, where traditional home cooking and strong food culture play an important role in everyday life. These influences remain central to the way she cooks today.

During time spent travelling and working across Central Europe and the Balkan region, Lucie was also exposed to the rich food traditions of that area. The Balkan cuisine — influenced by cultures close to Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean — has shaped her appreciation for slow cooking, charcoal grilling, shared dishes and bold flavours.

These influences can often be seen in the food offered through Cheers Private Catering, especially in barbecue-style events and shared dining menus.

Cocktail Bar Experience

Alongside her chef and catering work, Lucie also trained in cocktail bar service, which led to the development of private cocktail bar services for events on Waiheke Island.

Cheers Private Catering is therefore able to provide cocktail service alongside food, creating a full hospitality experience for weddings, parties and corporate functions.

Babicka’s Table – Handmade Waiheke Sausages

More than 15 years ago, Lucie co-founded Babicka’s Table together with her then business partner. While the business partnership later changed, the company continues to grow and remains an important part of Waiheke’s local food scene.

Babicka’s Table produces boutique, handmade sausages inspired by traditional European recipes, using carefully selected ingredients and small-batch production methods.

These premium sausages are now supplied across Waiheke Island and throughout the North Island, and they often feature in Cheers Private Catering menus — particularly in barbecues and outdoor events, where Babicka’s Table products have become a popular highlight.

Chop House Café

Lucie also currently co-runs Chop House, a small Waiheke café operated together with business partner Casi.

The café focuses on quality ingredients, handmade food and a relaxed local atmosphere, reflecting the same philosophy that drives Lucie’s catering work.

A Life in Hospitality

Hospitality has always been more than just a profession — it is a long-term passion and way of life.

After many years working across restaurants, vineyards, food production, catering and cafés, Lucie continues to focus on creating memorable food experiences for people visiting and living on Waiheke Island.

Through Cheers Private Catering, the goal remains simple: to deliver beautiful food, thoughtful service, and genuine hospitality for every event.