It takes a Village

Foodie Tour with The Big Foody and Lauraine Jacobs.

Climb aboard this culinary tour of the Matakana coast, hosted by the knowledgeable Elle Armon Jones of The Big Foody.

Once you’ve been collected from a central Auckland location, you’ll be driven to Matakana Village, home of the famous Saturday Farmers Market, where you’ll start your adventure with a freshly roasted coffee from Matakana Coffee Roasters.

Then it’s time to say bonjour to chocolatier Nico Bonnaud of Honest Chocolat’s and sample some award-winning chocolates, many of them nods to the region’s local producers including Brick Bay Wines, Matakana Roaster Coffee, Sawmill Brewery Beer, Matakana Olive Oil, Kawau Bay Macadamias and delicious Oob Blueberries.

Then you’ve half an hour to explore the shops and galleries of Matakana Village before being taken to the home of food writer Lauraine Jacobs in Omaha Beach. Lauraine will talk about her latest book It Takes a Village and you’ll meet several of the producers who feature in those pages and sample their products. Stroll along the boardwalk at Omaha while you’re at it and admire the pou whenua of Matakana.

Leaving Omaha, you’ll travel to the Sawmill Brewery and Smoko Room where you will be given a behind the scenes tour of the brewery followed by a sharing platter lunch, served with your choice of brew.

Last stop of the day is Charlies Gelato for fresh gelato and sorbetto, made with the finest local ingredients. Andrew Cole will share how he makes his award-winning iced treats in the Italian style, then it’s back to Auckland with your souvenirs and happy foodie memories.