For some good photo ops, there are
New Zealand’s “top chef,” the one
with Garlic and Sherry Wine Vinegar;
Parliament House, known as The
government officials turn to when
Sautéed Springfield Greens,
Beehive (when you see it, the reason
someone important visits the country.
Handpicked Springfield Garden Salad
with Walnut Dressing; New Zealand
for the name will become obvious) and
the Mount Victoria Lookout, which
In 2010, Ruth “tutored” Prince William
Artisan Cheeses with Homemade
offers a spectacular city panorama.
and New Zealand’s Prime Minister at a
Crackers and Fig, Orange and Almond
Premier House barbecue. She also
Roll. And for dessert – yes, everyone
On a balmy day, a walk along the
catered the premieres of The Lovely
had dessert – it was Manuka Honey
waterfront provides pretty views and
Bones, Lord of the Rings, Return of the
Ice Cream and Long-stemmed
great people-watching; on the
King and King Kong (all filmed in New
Strawberries.
weekend, the markets sell everything
Zealand).
The wines that accompanied our meal:
from boutique wine and handmade
When I arrived, with a group of travel
Palliser Estate Martinborough Methode
writers, at Springfield, Pretty’s home,
Traditionelle 2007; Ned Marlborough
And, of course there is plenty of
tea and espresso and beauty cake
Pinot Gris 2009; Elephant Hill Hawke’s
glorious food (and wine) to sample in
awaited. We toured the sustainable
Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010; Neudorf
Wellington. One of the things I loved
garden, where Ruth sources many of
Nelson Chardonnay 2010 and Ata
about dining here, whether at a simple
her ingredients -- and then we got to
Rangi Crimson Martinborough Pinot
café on Courtenay Place or a
work: making wood-fired pizzas in the
Noir 2009. What was especially
distinguished restaurant on the
garden. I love making pizzas at home,
appealing about all these wines was
waterfront, is that the food is what
but here, it was especially easy as
that they were reasonably priced and
food should be – uncontaminated and
Ruth’s helpers had prepared the dough
generally available in the United
un-tampered with. Read a label and
(which had risen) and sliced and diced
States.
you won’t find any un-pronounceable
the “fixings.” With advice from Ruth’s
chemicals or additives.
staff, everyone made a personal pizza,
We left Springfield with all the recipes
and by the time they went into the
for the dishes we’d consumed and a
Among the special dining venues is
oven, we were all hungry. Tasting was
copy of Ruth Pretty’s cookbook. And
Logan Brown, which offers
the fun part; my pie wasn’t bad, but it
when it was time to leave New
sophisticated cuisine, a good wine list
couldn’t match those produced by my
Zealand, I checked off one more item
and excellent service in a very pretty
favorite pizzerias in New York or at the
on my bucket list and cherished my
European-style setting with Corinthian
Jersey Shore.
new treasure trove of memories.
chocolate to jewelry and other crafts.
columns and an ornate domed ceiling.
Martin Bosley’s was my favorite; the
Pizza was only the first part of our food
fresh fish, sourced from clean waters is
adventure. In the beautiful garden
prepared simply, and the delicate
setting, we were served a multi-course
sauces enhance rather than mask the
sit-down dinner which started with
flavors. Desserts, especially those
mouthwatering Barbecued Scampi
made with chocolate, are memorable.
Salad with Lemon Thyme Dressing and
For outstanding Asian food, the French
went on – and on, to include: West
culinary team at Hippopotamus (at the
Coast Whitebait fritters, Pan-fried Paua
Museum Hotel) shines.
with Lemon; Herbed Mussels with
Soused Red Onions; Barbecued
For my best culinary adventure, I
Flatbread; Barbecued Butterflied Leg of
traveled northwest of Wellington, to
Lamb with Rosemary and Beetroot
Ruth Pretty’s home and cooking school
Balsamic Sauce, Cucumber and
on the Kapiti Coast. Ruth Pretty is
Yoghurt Salad; Spanish-style Pepper
Ruth Anne.