New Zealand food and music at its best at Pen-y-bryn Lodge

4 April 2012

New Zealand food and music at its best at Pen-y-bryn Lodge

Building on the huge success of previous events, Oamaru’s most stunning historic lodge is inviting guests back for more unique entertainment with the return of a renowned New Zealand chef and a ‘genre-busting’ musical trio.

James Glucksman and James Boussy, owners of Pen-y-bryn Lodge in Oamaru, will be dishing up loads of laughter with NZ Masterchef fan favourite Jax Hamilton as she shares dishes from her latest book, Jax Cooks.

And the following month the famous NZTrio will kick off New Zealand Music Month with a chamber performance at the historic lodge.

Pen-y-bryn Lodge co-owner James Glucksman said the popularity of similar events with the artists in the past had encouraged him to look at new ways they could present the performers.

“Attending the cocktail evening or concert are both wonderful opportunities for people to get ‘up close and personal’ with these performers and celebrities,” he said.

“Last time Jax visited she demonstrated how to prepare portions of a three-course meal, but there wasn’t much time for her to spend with her fans.

“This time the format will allow her to really mingle with our guests while people sample several dishes from her new book -- a recipe book and memoir -- which she’ll also be signing for anyone who’d like to take a copy home.

“Jax was a huge hit last time she was at the lodge, and this time she’s bringing her mum Dulcie who inspires much of her cooking.

“Jax plans to share her experiences from various phases of her life, from her childhood in London to her move to New Zealand and of course her Caribbean roots. We’ll all be thoroughly entertained,” he said.

Jax’s cocktail evening will be held on Saturday April 14 and includes up to seven dishes from her book to sample and a glass of wine. There is a cash bar available on the night and the $100 ticket price includes a copy of Jax Cooks and a little treat from the book to take home.

Mr Glucksman said the NZTrio concert on Saturday May 5, followed by a dinner with the trio on Sunday May 6, would bring a combination of familiar and not-so-familiar works to their fans in the Oamaru region.

“After they visited last year and requested that we make this a regular feature on our event calendar, I can assure you that this weekend-long event will be an experience not to be missed,” he said.

“Last year’s performance was a sell-out and nothing short of sensational. We were thrilled when the Trio asked to come back to Pen-y-bryn Lodge, because it’s a huge honour for us as hosts.

“This year we’re holding the concert on the Saturday night then giving up to 20 music lovers who attend the concert a chance to join the trio for an informal dinner the following evening.

“People will have a chance to meet them and discuss music from the previous night’s concert,” he said.

This year’s concert will include works by Dvořák, Mozart and two modern composers, Bright Sheng (USA) and Anthony Ritchie (NZ).

Tickets for both events are available at www.penybryn.co.nz.

Event details

Jax Hamilton returns to Pen-y-bryn
When:- Saturday April 14 at 7.30pm

Tickets are $100 (including a copy of Jax Cooks, which Jax will happily sign). Tickets are also available for couples who want only one book.

NZTrio
When:- Saturday May 5 and Sunday May 6

Concert only tickets are $50 per person and include a welcome glass of wine and light canapés during intermission. A cash bar will also be available.

Dinner and concert ticket packages are available starting from $125 per person. Two nights’ accommodation and meal packages are also available starting from $1000 per couple.

More about Pen-y-bryn Lodge and the Jameses

Pen-y-bryn Lodge is a small luxury hotel offering exclusive Lodge-style accommodation in five elegant and superbly appointed guestrooms with modern en-suite facilities in a hillside location overlooking historic Oamaru with views of sea and mountains.

Pen-y-bryn Lodge was built in 1889 for Oamaru businessman John Bulleid, who gave the building a Welsh name meaning “On Top of the Hill”. Reputedly the largest single-level wooden structure in Australasia, the house retains many of its original furnishings and fittings, giving it a very elegant, yet comfortable, feeling. Converted into a lodge in the mid-1990s, and bearing five Qualmark stars, Pen-y-bryn offers guests a rare combination of authentic Kiwi heritage and modern convenience.

Hosts James Glucksman and James Boussy (aka ‘the Jameses’), purchased Pen-y-bryn in 2010. Born in the United States, they lived and travelled all over the world before deciding to make their home in Oamaru.

Before Pen-y-bryn, James Glucksman had a career in international management consulting and healthcare for more than 20 years, living and working in more than forty countries all over the world. Fluent in Russian and Chinese, and with a very good knowledge of French, Spanish and German (as well as some limited Japanese and Hungarian), James' first love was always fine food and wine. He is a member of the Slow Food movement (the international organisation that promotes local and sustainable foods) and is in the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the Paris-based gourmet society.

ENDS

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