Up close and personal with Heilala Vanilla and Peter Gordon. Join us at the Plantation, Vava’u Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, for our annual harvest and South Pacific Cuisine prepared by Peter Gordon. June 9th to 14th.
Harvest will be underway with Vanilla being picked, cured and dried under the Pacific Sun at the Plantation. John Ross fully immersed in the Tongan way and the village of Utunagke will be on site at the plantation over seeing our 2010 harvest. We will be joined by the well known and highly respected UK Based, NZ Chef, Peter Gordon and consultant Pastry Chef Natasha MacAller. During the 4 days at Vava’u we will be spending time at the plantation, visiting the local market and getting an appreciation for the local fruit and vegetables, taking a trip out around the islands on a Moorings Catamaran to the resort of Ika Lahi at Hunga Lagoon to have some demonstration classes with Peter, and a Sunday tradition, church in Utungake followed by a traditional Tongan feast with the Latu family. There will be time to also enjoy the sunshine and beach and maybe read a book under the coconut tree! This is not a trip for those expecting 5 star resorts, butlers and spas but for those who are genuinely interested in being immersed in the village of Utunagke and the Tongan way, appreciating and learning the very complex and intricate process of growing and harvesting Vanilla as well as learning from and sharing great food and wine with Peter Gordon. We can only take 20 people maximum, so to register your interest please email before next Thursday, the 25th of March as we need to confirm with Peter before end of March. We will then send out detailed itinerary and costings. Bookings will be completed for the trip via Art of Travel in Ponsonby.
Passionate about 100% Pure Vanilla, Jennifer Boggiss Réunion Food co. Ph 07 552 5905 Mob 0274 799 089 www.heilalavanilla.co.nz