Dr. Murray Mackenzie has an impressive knowledge of the food and beverage industry. As a former Chef, his industry experience has taken him to several countries. Commencing his training in New Zealand, then traveling to Australia, South Africa, Northern Ireland and England where he learnt from and worked with well-known chefs and hotel companies. Murray held key positions in major hotels and restaurants such as Executive Sous Chef, Head Banqueting Chef and Executive Head Chef, and worked in this dynamic industry for over 20 years prior to commencing his role in education.

Mackenzie has expanded his passion of the food and beverage industry and develop his lecturing and research skills by graduated with a MEd from the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland and PhD in Hospitality Management from the University of Waikato, New Zealand. Murray has continued to expand his skills and knowledge of wines and the world through gaining WSET and Bordeaux wine instructor qualification.

These academic qualifications have provided opportunities to lecture at undergraduate, post graduate level at prominent institutes and universities in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Hong Kong and USA. Murray’s specialist teaching and research areas are in food and beverage management, corporate social responsibility (CSR) wine education and marketing.

Mackenzie believes that staying in touch with current industry trends are essential to bring best practice into the classroom and through specialized executive development courses to hotel executives and employees.

Mackenzie is employed as an Assistant Professor in Residence at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he teaches food and beverage operational management and event management.