Third Annual North Course Event a Hit

Thirty-three eateries across the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts entered a dish in this year’s event, which is organised by MADE NORTH CANTERBURY to celebrate the quality food, beverage and hospitality on offer in North Canterbury.

To participate, eateries must enter a dish that uses at least one local ingredient and, if possible, match the dish with a local beverage. Consumers are invited to taste and rate The North Course dishes throughout November to be in to win a North Canterbury weekend escape prize package.

Event organiser Kelly Lynch, from Enterprise North Canterbury (ENC), says the 2024 event was far and away the most successful yet.

“The North Course just keeps growing, year on year. This year saw 33 eateries engaging in the event, up from 21 last year. We also had a 58% increase in the number of consumer ratings, compared to last year’s event.

“Our local hospitality providers have really pushed the boat out this year and presented some incredible dishes, made especially for this event. By doing so, they have used ingredients from 48 local producers. At its core, that’s what The North Course is all about: showcasing our fantastic food and beverage producers, and connecting them with our talented hospitality providers here in North Canterbury.”

The dish that received the most customer ratings throughout The North Course 2024 was ‘The Local’ Spring Hash from Black & White Coffee Cartel in Rangiora, with 107 ratings. Described as a kumara, herb and feta hash with a poached egg, grilled asparagus and options of crispy bacon, hot smoked salmon or grilled haloumi, the dish utilised ingredients from Benzie Free Range Eggs, Fernside Microfarm, North Canterbury Seafood Market, Behind the Hedge and Karikaas Cheese.

Black & White Coffee Cartel Rangiora owners Bridget Philpott and Lydia Fechney said they were keen to enter The North Course in order to showcase the local produce available in the area.
“We’re very grateful to be able to use quality local produce in all our dishes. ‘The Local’ was fresh and full of flavour because we utilised the very best seasonal local produce. We think that’s why it sold so well – because it was just so fresh and flavourful.”

The popular dish was created by chefs Bex Thompson, Natasha Pagan and Victoria Simmonds, who worked directly with local suppliers daily throughout The North Course to ensure a steady stock of fresh ingredients.

“All our staff were 100% behind The North Course, but our chefs deserve particular mention as they really did the bulk of the work in bringing this fabulous dish to life,” said Bridget.
“We were all so excited to hear The Local was the top-rated dish in this year’s event, and wish to thank our fabulous customers for tasting and rating our dish.”

Second place went to Bocky Boo Rangiora with their Mountain View Produce Strawberry Sorbet, followed by D.O.T.I Bar & Eatery in Amberley who created a Middlehurst Lamb Ribeye dish paired with House of Ball ‘The Merger’ wine from Waipara. All three establishments were first-time entrants to The North Course in 2024.

In addition to the hospitality aspect of the showcase, local supermarkets Pak’nSave Rangiora and New World Ravenswood got on board with promotional displays of local produce and exclusive ‘The North Course’ recipe cards created by two local chefs – Jen Pomeroy of The Modern Mess, and Clare Giffard of Urban Revival.

An event at The Food Farm in Amberley was also incorporated into this year’s event, giving consumers the chance to learn how to establish their own garden beds and food forests.
“Whilst November is the time to celebrate North Canterbury food and beverage in our local eateries, The Food Farm event, our supermarket activations and recipe cards give consumers the knowledge and skills to bring fresh, delicious North Canterbury food into their homes, year-round,” says Kelly. “It’s all about highlighting what we can grow, buy, make and eat in this abundant part of the world.”

The top six most-rated dishes in The North Course 2024 were:

– ‘The Local’ Spring Hash, Black & White Coffee Cartel.
– Mountain View Produce Strawberry Sorbet, Bocky Boo Rangiora.
– Middlehurst Lamb Ribeye paired with House of Ball ‘The Merger’ wine, D.O.T.I Bar & Eatery, Amberley.
– Hurunui Farms Reuben Sandwich paired with Brew Moon Brushfire India Brown Ale, Brew Moon Brewing Co, Amberley.
– Harris Farms Short Rib Burger paired with Greystone Pinot Noir, Tea Kiosk Café & Grill, Hanmer Springs.
– Three Llamas ‘The Triple Shot’ croissant, The Baker’s Rack, Kaiapoi.

The North Course is run by MADE NORTH CANTERBURY; North Canterbury’s own food and beverage provenance brand, launched in 2020 by Enterprise North Canterbury.
Visit www.madenorthcanterbury.co.nz to find out more about MADE NORTH CANTERBURY, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates and future North Course events.