Our Story
We are a small, dedicated team of food enthusiasts in Auckland, New Zealand — committed to making everyday cooking more enjoyable, more accessible and genuinely inspiring.
Born from a Simple Frustration
In 2019, our founder sat down to dinner and realised she had cooked the same four meals on rotation for three months. The recipes she found online were either buried behind lengthy personal essays or so vague they were practically useless for a real weeknight kitchen.
So she built a small spreadsheet of tested recipes and started sharing it with friends. Within six months, that spreadsheet had grown into a platform — and Wildernesstendon was born in Auckland's St Lukes neighbourhood, a short walk from the local market.
Meet the TeamOur Mission
"Every person deserves access to clear, honest, seasonal cooking guidance that fits their life — not just their pantry."
We exist to give home cooks in New Zealand and beyond a reliable daily companion. Not a magazine that inspires once a month, but a platform that shows up every morning with something fresh, practical and worth making tonight.
Our Core Values
These four principles guide every recipe we publish, every feature we build and every interaction with our community.
Test Before We Publish
Every recipe on our platform has been cooked by a real person in a real kitchen. We do not publish based on theory — only on lived, tested experience.
Honest, Clear Instructions
We write for the home cook, not the food photographer. Steps are numbered, times are accurate and we flag the moments where things can go wrong.
Seasonal & Local Focus
We prioritise ingredients available in New Zealand supermarkets and local markets — so you can cook our recipes without a specialist food store nearby.
Community First
Our readers shape our editorial calendar. We listen to what people are struggling with, what they are curious about, and what they want to cook more of.
Meet Our Team
A small group of passionate cooks, writers and technologists united by a love of good food and straightforward communication.
Sophie Hartley
Founder & Head Recipe DeveloperTrained in Auckland and Paris, Sophie brings fifteen years of cooking experience to every recipe she develops for the platform.
Marcus Toa
Editorial Lead & Food WriterMarcus translates complex culinary techniques into plain language, making even ambitious recipes feel approachable for everyday cooks.
Lena Park
Nutrition Adviser & Recipe TesterLena reviews all recipes for nutritional balance and ingredient accuracy, ensuring that seasonal eating is both enjoyable and sustaining.
How We Grew
Platform Launched
Starting with 40 tested recipes, Wildernesstendon went live from a small flat in the St Lukes area of Auckland.
Weekly Meal Plans Introduced
Following reader feedback during the lockdown period, we launched structured weekly planning content with consolidated shopping lists.
Daily Ideas Feature Launched
A new daily inspiration format was introduced — refreshing the homepage each morning with a curated pick from our growing library.
10,000 Registered Members
Our community reached a significant milestone, reflecting the growing appetite for reliable, locally focused recipe content across New Zealand.
Still Growing, Every Day
We continue to add new recipes, expand our seasonal collections and listen to our community to keep improving everything we publish.
Get in Touch with Our Team
Whether you have a recipe question, a suggestion or simply want to say hello — our team is always happy to hear from fellow food enthusiasts.
Contact Us