It feels like winter has truly set in now – grey skies, chilly nights, the same old dinner on repeat. But fear not, you don’t have to wander far to warm your cockles. Here are our food columnist Stacey Jones’s top-secret foodie experiences in the Bay of Plenty that’ll light up your winter with a fantastic food adventure.
Mid-Winter Gin-Mas
June/July/August
Matahui’s is warming our cockles this winter with their “Mid-Winter Gin-Xmas” workshop, where you’ll have the chance to make your own custom gin using mid-winter Christmas botanicals. At $95 per head (roughly the cost of a decent shop-bought bottle), it’s the steal of the season. Paul Horak, Matahui’s master distiller, will guide you through small-batch botanicals (he even snagged NZ’s Best Botanical Spirit award). The distillery is located in Matahui, just 2.5 hours from Auckland. It’s the perfect spot for a fun weekend away from the city.
Shuck Yeah!
June–October
Have you ever wanted to slurp an oyster moments after it left the water? Tio Ōhiwa’s twice-daily, 90-minute cruises across Ōhiwa Harbour make it possible at NZ’s only Māori-owned oyster farm. Your journey begins with a guided history of the estuary, winds past Ohakana Island and Tauwhare Pā, then drops anchor at Ōhiwa Oyster Farm. There you’ll learn to shuck, dress and serve your own oysters, tour the processing plant and walk away with a dozen (or more) of the freshest Ōhiwa oysters you’ll ever taste. Use code BOPEATS for 10% off.
Diggin It
June-July
Truffle-hunting season (late May–July) is here and in the Bay of Plenty we are graced with some of NZ’s highest producing truffle farms. Trufflewood in Paengaroa invites you onto their farm to hunt Périgord truffles, famed on TVNZ’s Country Calendar and starred on plates at Amisfield and Ahi. Follow expert dog Simba as he leads you through the orchard floor to unearth these rare gems. Once you’ve dug up your treasure, indulge in a guided tasting, including local cheese, butter, ice cream and more! For $10 off your hunt, use the code UNO10. Add link:
Viva Italia!
27 July
For foodies craving a true taste of Italy, join a select group of flavour seekers for a day of truffle hunting, fresh pasta making and a long, leisurely Italian lunch at the charming Clarence Hotel. Chauffeured in style by Range Rover from Ebbetts Prestige, you’ll live la dolce vita… right here in Aotearoa. With only 12 seats at the table, this intimate experience will sell out fast—secure your spot on the waiting list today.
My Big Fat Greek…Cooking Class
Thursdays, June – August 2025
Step inside Yiayia Kitchen’s cosy Matatā home, perched opposite Whale Island on a tranquil rural property, and roll up your sleeves for a hands-on Greek cooking class. Under her warm and welcoming guidance, you’ll learn to craft piping-hot moussaka layered with silky béchamel, hand-stretch pillowy pitas to fill with homemade hummus and tzatziki, and fold flaky filo for sweet baklava. Along the way, Caterina will share the stories behind each recipe, the traditions they spring from, and the love she pours into every dish. After cooking, sit down together to feast on your creations, savouring an experience you’ll be talking about long after the last bite.
Contact: yiayiaslittlekitchen@gmail.com for classes.