Milan Kostanich is the Food and Nutrition Teacher for all year levels at Marsden, where he oversees the entire subject programme, designs innovative projects, and selects recipes that challenge and inspire students. He also supervises the students’ involvement in the Kura Kai programme, which provides meals to other schools in the regions to freeze and distribute to their school whānau. 

Before transitioning to education, Milan spent 10 years as a professional chef, working in restaurants including Osteria Del Toro, The Bresolin, and Fratelli in Wellington, as well as Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in Melbourne. His culinary background enriches his teaching, bringing real-world experience into the classroom.

Milan holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching. Outside of school, he enjoys reading, yoga, meditation, exercise, and cooking. His home life is shared with his two pet cats, Page and Chapter.

Passionate about student creativity, Milan encourages his students to move beyond recipes, experimenting with flavours and techniques to create dishes that reflect their unique personalities. Through his guidance, Marsden students gain confidence in the kitchen while broadening their culinary horizons.