Horowhenua’s Tastiest Event

Horowhenua’s Tastiest Event

The Horowhenua Taste Trail showcasing eight producers and a dairy farm is taking place this Saturday 25th November.

The Taste Trail has been designed to give participants a unique behind the scenes experience through Horowhenua’s specialist food producers!

Event Coordinator Catherine Lewis says “from farm tours to tastings ... there will be a new experience for you up every road or track on the Trail! It is a great day out for people of all ages and there is something to suit all taste buds.”

Participants are being encouraged to secure there early bird tickets online to save time and money.

“Participants can secure their tickets online up until Friday 5pm, or buy them on the day for an additional price.”

“If you secure your tickets online by Friday; under 12s are Free, and over 12s are $10.” The tickets will give you access to all eight sites and an entire day out of entertainment – there is lots to do and see.”

For the first time there is also Taster events to take part in, including a Cooking Class, Cocktail Function and Champagne Breakfast.

“Tickets to our Taster events have been extremely popular. Our cooking class is completely sold out, while there are still a few tickets to the Cocktail night and Champagne Breakfast, but get in quick they are selling fast.”

Tickets: Tickets are on sale now via the Horowhenua Taste Trail website. Visit http://www.tastetrail.co.nz/your-taste-trail-adventure.html

Some Interesting Stuff

• New Producers/ Sites- This year we have a range of new sites and producers:
o Thoroughbread Foods, a gluten free bread maker based in Levin has joined the Trail producers,
o Turks will be opening up their processing site at Foxton.
o Woody’s Free Range Farm will be in town at his new butchery facility
o Graeme Bagrie’s farm is on board at Waiterere Beach.
• We are expanding- last year it was a one day event. This year we have a series of events people can take part in. See above for the Taster Event Info.
• Eight of the nine produces involved are family owned and operated business. All of our producers are run by passionate producers dedicated to providing excellent food for our community.
• The event is run by volunteers. We have a board which is made up of the producers and an independent chairperson. Then a committee which is made up of 3 members who organise the logistics.
• For the first time we have a Horowhenua Cook Off.

The 2017 Woodhaven Gardens Taste Trail Cook Off will comprise of 2 events.

The day will kick off with the Secondary School “Omelette Challenge”. Competitors for the challenge will be pre-determined by previous heats held at Waiopehu College. The winner receives a Chefs Association prize, plus a $200 cash prize from Woodhaven Gardens.

The main event be the Community Cook Off, where five avid cooks will get to show off their cooking skills. Competitors will have sixty (60) minutes to prepare and present two (2) identical main portions featuring a protein, vegetables, and a suitable sauce. Their dish must feature three Taste Trail products, of which one must be a Woodhaven Gardens product. The winner receives a Chefs Association prize, plus a $500 cash prize from Woodhaven Gardens.

This year also for the first time we are running a college cooking competition. On Tuesday 22nd November & Wednesday 23rd November students from the Lower North Island will have 1 hour to cook and serve a dish featuring our producers. This is open to Years 7-9 or Years 10-13. Waiopheu College are partnering with us to make this competition happen!

Main Event

Horowhenua Taste Trail
Saturday 25th November, 10am – 4pm
Join us for what will be a day full of adventure
Early Bird Tickets - Buy your tickets online before the 24th November to save!
• 12 Years and Under – FREE
• Over 12 Year Olds - $10
Buy on the Day - On the day tickets can be purchased at any of the sites.
• 12 Years and Under - $5
• Over 12 Year Olds - $15

Taster Events

The Horowhenua Food Story
Friday 24th November, 6pm – 9pm
Get your glad rags on and celebrate the Horowhenua Food Story. An evening celebration where you will hear the stories of the Horowhenua producers’ early days starting out, to where they have come to now.
Tickets: $50.00 - Glass of bubbles on arrival. Canapes featuring the produce of our local producers, whipped up by acclaimed foodie Ruth Pretty.

Tendertips Asparagus Champagne Breakfast by Little White Rabbit

Saturday 25th November, 9am – 10am
Kick start your Taste Trail experience in style with a special breakfast at the Tendertips Asparagus Packhouse. The Little White Rabbit pop-up café will be serving Tendertips Juicy Jumbos with Levin free range poached eggs, hollandaise, toasted sourdough and prosciutto.
Tickets: $35.00 Breakfast and a glass of bubbles (or coffee, tea or juice).

A little bit about the producers on the Trail:

• Woodhaven Gardens- a family run commercial growing operation. They have production in excess of 1000 acres, producing and distributing vegetables both nationally and internationally. Woodhaven is recognised as one of the leaders in the industry.
• Tendertips Asparagus - One of the largest asparagus growers in New Zealand whose produce is enjoyed in New Zealand and Japan, a family run operation located between Levin and Foxton.
• RJ's Licorice - a well known local organisation whose locally made licorice is known and enjoyed throughout New Zealand and the world.
• Genoese Pesto- A family owned and operated local business, manufacturing premium pestos from herbs and all natural ingredients.
• Turk's Poultry - a family business which has been in operation for over 40 years. Turks free range chickens are corn-fed which means they produce healthy chickens with delicious flavour and goodness and their products are enjoyed throughout New Zealand
• Woodys Free Range Farm - Produce free range heritage breed pork, bacon, sausages and ham from Large Black and Berkshire pigs. Their pigs are grown on the farm, and their pork products are made locally.
• Levin Eels - a family owned eel processing and eel export business based in Levin. They export live and processed eel to various international markets throughout Asia, Europe and North America.
• Thoroughbread Foods - Thoroughbread is a family owned gluten free company. Through the love of food and their passion for health, they strive to make the best products possible .Their range includes a variety of breads, a Paleo range, a Gluten Free Range, Pizza Bases and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

© Scoop Media