Food producers had the chance to showcase their goods during a recent food tour in Wanaka. 

Helen Jackson visited Wanaka earlier this winter for a family ski holiday, but used the opportunity to also plan and execute two tours of local eateries and vineyards.

The Auckland-based food writer teamed up with Sharyn Mathias from Florence’s Foodstore and Cafe to create a bespoke experience for foodie guests. 

Guests tasted pastries at Pembroke Patisserie, ate freshly caught salmon done three ways at Hook, and ate cheese fondue at Lipsky & Sons, among others. 

Cheese Fondue at Lipsky & Sons.

“I thought it was something that was a great way of exposing producers to travellers,” Helen said. 

At many of the places, owners would speak to the visitors about the way they cook and/or grow their products, the inspiration behind their businesses, and how they came to be. 

A highlight for Helen was visiting Aitken’s Folly (on Riverbank Road) on the second tour, which she said was “just delightful”.

Salmon at Hook.

The family run vineyard is owned by couple Ian Percy and Fiona Aitken, and the group’s chance visit to their cellar door after the first place they intended to visit was shut was serendipitous. 

“It’s a very small operation, and Fiona invited us right into her home and really took the time to tell us all about their wine. It was fantastic.”

Learning the story behind a product, meal or drink can really enhance the experience of dining somewhere new, Helen said. 

Meeting with the founder of the Platter Share - which creates grazing tables and platters for special occasions was another standout, Helen said. 

“[Owner] Rachelle was just fabulous. She gave us tastings, and her dad also makes the wooden platters she uses. They had their shed open and we could buy the platters made from wine barrels.”

Chatting to Kirsty Schmutsch about Pembroke Patisserie.

Helen was impressed to see the dedication to detail and quality, and locally sourced foods. 

Each tour ended at Florence’s, where Sharyn would talk about some of the small producers without stores whose products she stocked in her foodstore. 

Helen thanked Sharyn for all her help. “She was the one who connected all the dots and

contacted the producers. She was so willing to help.”

The food tours, with capacity for just nine people, sold out “really quickly”.

The feedback was extremely positive: “Two people told me it was the highlight of their trip,” Helen said. 

Finding more musings about food, and a huge selection of recipes by Helen, at her blog.

PHOTOS: Helen Jackson