An Italian Foodie Adventure
For foodies who love Italian flavours and want to follow them to the source, join a small group of flavour seekers for a cosy winter getaway filled with truffle hunting, pasta making, Campari masterclass, and a long Italian lunch.
Cook. Taste. Explore.
In Partnership with:
Meet Your Culinary Curator
Hi, I’m Stacey Jones, the face behind your weekend culinary escape and the curator of Bay of Plenty Eats.
I’m one of New Zealand's Top 50 Women in Food & Drink (as voted by Cuisine Magazine), a food columnist for UNO Magazine, and the creator of award-winning experiences for brands like Whittaker’s and Four Square.
Over the years, I’ve created some of Aotearoa’s most talked-about food experiences, always rooted in storytelling, connection, and flavours that capture a true sense of place. I’ve won four New Zealand Event Awards and founded the country’s first secret supper club, Kitchen Takeover, which served over 15,000 diners across 14 consecutively sold-out events.
I love crafting food moments you can’t find anywhere else - intimate, seasonal experiences that linger long after the last bite and spark connection with fellow food lovers.
I can’t wait to host you for a weekend of cooking, tasting, and exploring.
Bon appétit!
An Italian Winter Escape in the Bay of Plenty
25-27 July | 1-3 August
Clarence Hotel, Tauranga | Fully hosted
Can you journey to Italy without ever leaving New Zealand?
Join BOP Eats for our inaugural culinary weekend to experience a taste of Italy, reimagined in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful and undiscovered regions. Enjoy truffle hunting, hands-on pasta making, a mixology class with Campari, a decadent long Italian lunch, and a Range Rover driving experience - all without boarding a plane.
Together, we’ll explore the sunny Bay of Plenty’s best Italian-inspired seasonal produce, meet passionate local makers, and slow down over food that’s made to be shared.
Hosted by Stacey Jones, voted by Cuisine magazine as one of the Top 50 Women in Food & Drink in New Zealand, and featuring guest appearances from the Bay’s leading producers, chefs, and truffle experts. This is a weekend of earthy goodness, deep connection, and hands-on flavour.
There are only twelve seats at the table. No crowds. No hit-or-miss meals. Just genuine behind-the-scenes access to some of New Zealand’s most memorable flavour, talent, and food stories - the kind you’ll carry with you long after the last course.
What’s Included
EXCLUSIVE TRUFFLE FARM VISIT
Private access to one of New Zealand’s highest producing truffières, just 30 minutes from your weekend base. Travel in style by Range Rover for a guided truffle hunt, tasting, and seasonal morning tea hosted by the owners.
BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION
Two nights at the historic Clarence Hotel in Tauranga - your home for the weekend, with elegant premier rooms and time to unwind between experiences.
ITALIAN-INSPIRED FOOD EXPERIENCES
Italian prosecco and canapés, a Campari masterclass with snacks, breakfast at the region’s best farmers market, a pasta making class, a long Italian lunch featuring freshly unearthed Périgord truffles.
LUXURY TRANSPORT
Range Rover transport, with the option for a driving experience on Sunday morning. No planning required - just arrive and enjoy.
FULLY HOSTED EXPERIENCE
Led by local foodie Stacey Jones, one of New Zealand’s Top 50 Women in Food and Drink, and supported by her passionate team of food lovers who will make sure you're looked after every step of the way.
TIME TO UNWIND
A perfectly paced itinerary with plenty of downtime to enjoy the option to to read a book, take a stroll, or simply enjoy a quiet moment.
Day 1: Welcome
Your journey begins at the iconic Clarence Hotel with reserved complimentary parking - a boutique hotel housed in a restored heritage building. From 3pm, settle into your room and unwind before our Italian-inspired experience begins.
Please let us know if you’d like to request an earlier check in. We can also collect you from the airport in a Range Rover if you are flying into the airport.
Welcome Drinks & Canapés
You’ll be greeted by your host at check-in with a glass of prosecco and a selection of Italian-inspired canapés.
Campari Cocktail Class
Gather with your fellow foodies to savour Italian-style dinner platters before diving into a Campari cocktail class at Clarence Bistro.
Guided by an expert mixologist, you’ll craft three unique cocktails, discovering the bold, bitter beauty of one of Italy’s most iconic aperitifs, each paired perfectly with a savoury snack.
Then it’s time to either linger over tiramisu and some of the best cocktails in town or retire to your room, ready for tomorrow’s foodie adventures.
Day 2: Pasta to Perfection
Farmers Market Breakfast
Start your day with a visit to the Tauranga Farmers Market, guided by local foodie Stacey Jones. Grab a coffee, meet some of the makers behind the region’s best seasonal produce and collect the ingredients for your pasta making class later that day.
Truffle Farm Visit
Jump in the Range Rovers for a 30-minute ride to one of New Zealand ’s highest producing truffle farms. You'll hear the story behind the farm, follow a truffle dog on a guided hunt to dig for truffles, and enjoy a truffle-inspired morning tea with the owners.
Pasta Making & Olive Oil Tasting
Back in town, return to Clarence for a blind olive oil tasting—can you spot the difference between Italian and New Zealand varieties? Then it’s time for a hands-on pasta-making session featuring seasonal ingredients, including freshly foraged truffle. You’ll learn how to roll, shape, and cook authentic pasta from scratch.
Long Italian Lunch at Clarence
After the workshop, you'll have some time to relax before settling in for a long, late four course Italian lunch, featuring seasonal dishes and an Italian wine match. Enjoy the pasta you’ve made, served with freshly shaved truffle from the source, alongside great wine and even better company.
Day 3: Cafe to Caio
Relaxed Breakfast
Start your Sunday with a relaxed breakfast at Florence, the city’s newest Italian-inspired hot spot. Just a short stroll from the hotel, it’s the perfect place to ease into the day with good coffee and delicious food.
Range Rover Driving Experience
Spend your morning taking one of our Range Rovers for a spin to explore the Mount, strolling the scenic base track, or simply indulging in a well-earned sleep-in.
Bid Farwell
You’ll check out feeling refreshed, with a special treat to take home (all will be revealed) and some new foodie friends in tow.
FAQs
WHAT’S THE COST OF THE WEEKEND AND PAYMENT TERMS?
The total cost of the experience is normally $2399 but we are offering our first experience at a special introductory price of $1,995 NZD per person (twin share).
If you wish to have your own room, a single occupancy supplement of $350 NZD applies.
To secure your place:
A 20% deposit is required at the time of booking.
The remaining balance is due no later than 28 days before the event.
All prices are in NZD and include GST.
Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit has been received.
Full terms and conditions can be found here.
How many people will be on the weekend?
We keep it intimate - a maximum of 12 guests per weekend. It’s a small group experience so you’ll get plenty of connection, conversation, and space to savour.
Can you cater for dietary needs?
We cover all the common dietary requests (e.g. vegetarian, gluten-free), but please get in touch before booking if you have a specific request to make sure we can meet your needs.
What’s your cancellation policy?
We get that plans change. You can cancel for a full refund up to 28 days before the event. After that, we’ll do our best to resell your spot or offer a credit toward a future experience, but we can’t guarantee a refund.
What’s not included in the package?
- Transport to and from Tauranga
- Additional drinks outside the inclusions
- Mini bar and personal purchases
- Any items you choose to buy at the farmers market additional to our pasta making ingredients.
Is alcohol included?
We’ve organised a prosecco on arrival, a glass of wine and three drinks during the Campari mixology class, and a glass of wine to enjoy while you make pasta. You’ll also be treated to a curated 3-glass wine match with your long Italian lunch. Non-alcoholic options will also be available throughout.
What if it rains during the market visit or truffle hunt?
We’ve got great wet-weather plans in place, including a market-inspired breakfast at Clarence and undercover truffle tastings at the farm. Just in case, come prepared for a bit of rain with a good raincoat.
WHAT IF I WANT MY OWN ROOM?
Travelling solo? No worries! A single-occupancy supplement of $350 applies to cover your own room. Just let us know when booking, and we’ll ensure you have a comfortable, relaxing stay.
Testimonials
Everything was taken care of, the food was next level, and we genuinely felt like we’d had a mini Italian holiday without leaving the country.
Amazing food, great wine, and no pressure to do anything but enjoy. It was the perfect mix of connection and indulgence - we felt totally looked after.
One of those weekends you’ll talk about for years. Every detail felt thoughtful and effortless—you could tell it was designed by someone who truly loves food.