Kitchen Takeover - Hunter Gatherer, Winter Edition

‘He was a bold man that first ate an oyster.’

Jonathan Swift, 1700

For 90 percent of human history, hunter gatherers roamed the earth. Collecting native plants, pursuing wild animals and unlocking the power of fire, their lives were defined by an endless hunt for sustenance.

Kitchen Takeover’s Hunter Gatherer edition is back to take you on a journey of 1.6 million years, this time exploring all the foraging fodder and hunting bounty that Winter has to offer. From fish to fruit, plants to flesh, our six course menu will be a celebration of the season’s goodness and our local region’s rich and diverse food.

We will create delectable plates of food where the main components are hunted or foraged, cooked by MasterChef Shane Yardley and foraged by expert Julia Sich. Each plate will tell a story about it’s origins and the local heroes who are dedicated to keeping traditional ways of sourcing food alive. Not for sustenance, but for the thrill.

For all our vegans and vegetarians, we have a full degustation menu running alongside to take advantage of nature's botanical treasures.

Whilst the menu will be refined, it will feature brave new flavours and techniques you may never have experienced before. For those of you brave enough to venture into the wilderness, join us at a secret location on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June at 7pm at a secret Mount location.

Who is it for?

Wild at heart foodies on the hunt for a ‘big city’ style food adventure. Think the intimacy of an East London supper club mixed with the gastronomy of a top Melbourne laneway eatery and the creativity of a Copenhagen restaurant.

What will you eat?

Our caveman theme means on your plate will be fish, fruit, vegetables, seeds and meat. We also have a plant based alternative that caters to most dietary requests. If this isn’t for you, sign up to our newsletter to find out when we launch our next Kitchen Takeover event.

Who is cooking?

Shane Yardley is a chef with platefuls of experience. Having spent the first part of his career training in some of the world’s most renowned restaurants including the Sanderson and Bistro Largo, he did a long stint as Simon Gault’s right hand man. He has now returned to the fold as a tutor at Toi Ohomai teaching the next generation how to cook like a pro. Career highlights include Head Chef of Euro, cooking whitebait for Gordon Ramsey and a guest judge on Masterchef. You’re in for a treat.

How does it work?

The set menu will be announced when you arrive. Due to COVID-19 regulations, dining parties will be seated at individual tables 1m apart and diners will be seated, separated and served. We hope to get back to communal eating as soon as it is safe to do so.

Where and when will it be?

A secret location in Mount Maunganui. You will be texted one hour before the event. It will be within a five minute drive of Mauao.

What did people think last time?

"The food was amazing! Combinations I’d never had before that tasted divine, cooked with local foraged ingredients. The tastes were so balanced, vibrant and euphoric - it was some of the best food I’ve ever had. All in all 5 Stars easy and I’m booking in early so we make sure we don't miss out on the next one. Great fun, great night, amazing food in an incredible experience.

Karl Stevenson

"OH MY GOSH, it was wonderful. I've never had nitro-gas bubble out of my mouth after eating a dessert, made from apples and garden weeds, until this night! It was absolutely wowing! Please don't sign up for the newsletter, and don't go on the waiting list for the next pop up, because the less of you sign up, the more chance I have of getting in next time too!"

Natasha Lucas

Want a place at the table?

Buy your tickets now - be quick they will be gone quicker than you can run from a sabre toothed tiger.