New Zealand Culinary Adventure November 2017

The best way to experience New Zealand is through the lens of its food and wine. A Pacific island nation fueled by an agricultural economy, it isn’t surprising that NZ cuisine is based around seasonal local ingredients from both the land and the sea. New Zealand’s contemporary chefs are creating uniquely New Zealand, fresh, and innovative fine dining, elevating NZ to more than just an adventure island, but one of the most exciting culinary destinations you can visit. Throughout our journey together, we’ll taste our way around New Zealand and indulge in culinary experiences unavailable to the everyday tourist. We’ll enjoy private tours of Rangihoua’s Olive Oil Estate on Waiheke Island, learning about their olive harvesting techniques and oil processing secrets, and the Zealong Tea Estate, where we’ll see the amazing story in person of how they grew from a few camellia bushes into a shining star in the global world of tea. We’ll discover how honey makes its way from hive to pot and visit a privately-owned sheep farm to see a real New Zealand farm in action. We’ll enjoy freshly roasted coffee and market style brunch while meeting local producers at New Zealand’s best farmer’s market. In the Marlborough Sounds, we’ll go out on the water and visit salmon, mussel, and oyster farms, and of course, visit some of Marlborough’s world famous wineries, enjoying private tours and learning about food and wine matching and viticulture. And while there will be plenty of fine dining, don’t worry: We’ll enjoy one of New Zealand’s most iconic meal experiences, fish n’ chips, on the beach. Sprinkled amongst these amazing food experiences, you’ll get a taste of the art, culture, and adventure opportunities New Zealand has to offer. Waiheke Island’s Connell’s Bay Sculpture Park showcases some of New Zealand’s best large-scale artists, and we’ll try our hand at traditional Maori arts and crafts while learning the history of the Ohinemutu tribe. We’ve also added just enough hikes, walks, and opportunities to build up an appetite. Highlights include kayaking down to Paradise Valley, where the water is naturally hot from geothermal activity and the scenery will take your breath away. We’ll be led on a guided Art Deco walking tour of Napier and be given a shot of adrenaline on the Shotover Jet – the ultimate jet boat experience. The handcrafted experiences we have put together for you on this journey will be sure to inspire, educate, and ignite your passion for New Zealand’s culture and food! We promise that your belly and soul will return home filled with the magic of this magnificent land. Your guide for this Adventure will be Sarah Ayala, Ph.D., ‘The Kiwi Importer.’ Sarah is an adventurous, nature- and food-loving Kiwi currently living in Houston, Texas. She imports many of these amazing New Zealand goodies for you to enjoy here in the US through her company, The Kiwi Importer.