The Hapuku Kitchen Experience is an ever-changing feast, focused on using traditional cooking techniques such as fire and fermentation, which follows and celebrates the seasons. To ensure you’ll be cooking with only the freshest produce available, the menu is created the day prior, after Fiona has wandered through the garden.

The day begins with an introduction to the kitchen and the menu for the day. This is discussed over a cup of locally roasted coffee or a refreshing drink made from herbs and flowers from the garden. You’ll then embark on a journey around the Hapuku Kitchen property, foraging in the garden for fruit, vegetables and herbs. The extensive tour provides plenty of opportunity to discuss Hapuku Kitchen’s gardening philosophy with Fiona and her passion for ensuring the provenance of all the produce used. You’ll also have the chance to roll up your sleeves and plant something. Depending on the season this might involve sowing some seeds or planting vegetable seedlings, shrubs or possibly even a tree.

Once you have completed the harvest, collected the eggs, and fed the pigs and cows, you’ll return to the kitchen and as a group, prepare the various dishes that make up the menu. With help always at hand, you will learn many techniques and tricks on the creation of the dishes of the day.

To finish the day, simply relax and enjoy the feast accompanied with wine or beer from some of Fiona’s favourite Canterbury and Marlborough winemakers and brewers. Delicious home-made non-alcoholic beverages are also available, such as sparkling elderflower and cucumber.