World in a Day Foodie Discovery Tour: Western Suburbs

Date: 09/07/2011
Start Time: 9:00am
End Time: 4:30pm approx.
Price: $110

Our venture into Auckland's western suburbs will be a day of surprises and delights.  Our day will include a visit to a Swiss bakery, a specialist European food importer, Indian food supplier and the makers of New Zealand's premier ice cream, plus a beautiful "non-food" extra!  Lunch is at an outstanding Malaysian restaurant.

The tour includes transportation, morning tea/coffee, lots of tastings, a banquet-style Malaysian lunch and an information pack to take home.

Join Us!

 

Here is our Inaugural Tour:  World in a Day: Western Suburbs, 24 April, 2010 


"An informative and wonderful day.  Thank You.  Really enjoyed the ethnic/cultural experience."  Sandy, tour participant


We had a sold out tour for this first foray into Auckland's Western Suburbs. Is it true that people are friendlier in the West? If the hospitality that we enjoyed is anything to go by, then we would absolutely agree! 

Bread at Swiss Konditorei Bern.jpg     Anne Louise and daughters.jpg
Our first stop was at an artisan Swiss bakery.  The choice was wonderful...hazelnut filled pastry, sourdough and organic breads, brezels (pretzels), quark cheesecake....and we loved the tastings!


After a reviving coffee, we moved on to an importer of European foods.  The small retail shop located at the warehouse has an excellent supply of smallgoods, cheeses, pasta, tomato products....even dried cod.  This friendly family-run business was one of the first to import such products.  We owe them a big vote of thanks for taking action when they missed the flavours of their heritage.  Our cuisine is all the better for it.

Eurodell warehouse.jpg     Vlasta with tasting platter, Eurodell.jpg
We got to see into the warehouse.......and then tasted the delicious products so generously provided by Vlasta.


I discovered an amazing small shop during my explorations, which I just had to share with the group.  So next we took a short break from food shopping and tasting to journey to Italy and shop for ceramics, glass jewellry and Venetian masks. 

Masks, Dream of Italy.jpg     Ceramics, Dream of Italy.jpg


A short "pit stop" in a South African food importer, then onto an importer of spices and foods for the cuisines of Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the Middle East and Pacific Islands.  We definitely needed more time to explore the shop and learn about how to use these products. 

Zia, Huma and daughter, Saffron Foods.jpg
Spice and food shop Storeowners and Hosts Zia and Huma Quereshi and daughter


Thanks to the recommendation of fellow-foodie Alexia Santamaria, we enjoyed lunch at Auckland's best Malaysian restaurant.  Again, this family-run business gave us a warm welcome and the most delicious food.  Many of the group had not tried Malaysian food before, so this was a new experience for them.  The cuisine is a merging of Malay, Nonya, Chinese, Thai, Chinese and Indian influences.  The hit surprise dish of the lunch was Coffee Pork Chops!

Group at lunch, Bunga Raya Restaurant.jpg     Lunch dishes, Bunga Raya Restaurant.jpg


A person always has room for ice cream, and no matter how full we all were, we thoroughly enjoyed our tasting experience at this award-winning ice cream maker.

Jane holding ice cream, Kohu Road.jpg     Group eating ice cream, Kohu Road.jpg


Jane came in especially to open up the "factory" and tell us all about this family-owned business.  All the ingredients are natural, and many are organic.  Yes, we did taste all eight flavours on offer!


The finale of our day of foodie discoveries was a tasting of award-winning sherry and port.  Again, a family-owned business with a proud heritage.


Our thanks to all the businesses that we visited for giving us such a warm welcome and sharing their passion for their food products.  We shall return!


"Thank You, was a real treat.  Well Done."  Louise. 
"Well organised, friendly hosts and beautiful food."  Johanna.



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