Jordon Luck reaches the climax of "Why does love do this to me"

The Kaipoi Carnival was next to kick our summer catering programme into a higher gear, rocking with the Shadow Puppoets and Jordan Luck.  A few days earlier, we were serving Denver leg venison with juniper berry, thyme and black pepper jus, at the Canterbury West Coast Deer Farmers annual velvet awards. Later we served breakfasts for two 'toolbox' meetings Downer and a 90 th. birthday celebration luncheon at Charteris Bay.

When planning a Mexican themed wedding, we called upon our friends from abroad. One of our staff had been living in the southern USA and Mexico for a brief period and made friends with a Mexican chef named Robert. We had a few skype calls during which he generously gave us some recipes. With his tuition and some practice, we managed to produce an amazing meal which was enjoyed by 100 guests in an old woolshed in North Canterbury.

“Scones in her eyes” won the days for the Alliance Group at the Christchurch A and P Show

A busy November for Lovely Grub

We packed-out for seventeen days and 3 separate functions this month, starting with 3 days catering for 180 shooters at the South Island Down-the-line Champs at MacLeans Island. We needed to live on site at the Canterbury Clay Target Clubs range.

When completed, we relocated to Canterbury Park and set up for the corporate hospitality of the Alliance Group at the Christchurch A and P Show - we catered 835 lunches plus numerous morning and afternoon teas. We worked alongside chef Graham Hawkes who was doing sample tastings for the Alliance Group clients. Their rural clients enjoyed freshly prepared scones every morning with their tea and expresso coffee.

Lovely Grub providing barrister coffee

After 3 days at the show we relocated back to the gun club for 3 days of the NSSA Sket tournament, followed by 6 days of the National Sket Championships. We were treated to some excellent shooting when the New Zealand Team challenged the Australian Team. Of the 130 shooters attending about 40 were from Australia. It was a real pleasure to cater for many of the guests who we have come to know very well over our 12 year relationship with the Canterbury Clay Target Club.

After 19 days away, we, with our truck and trailer finally returned to base.

Prize giving during Torpedo Spring Challenge 2017

Torpedo Spring Challenge - Geraldine

It was immediately obvious upon receiving the enquiry, that the logistics of service were going to be as important as providing a high-quality meal. The stipulation was to cater for 1700 competitors, including 130 special diets, in one and a half hours.

We put together a plan including a menu and layout drawings to which Jodie said “Yes”. We supplied: a choice of salmon, vegetarian or bacon frittata; three flavours of muffins and a homemade muesli cup with yoghurt; and a piece of fruit.  Competitors moved on with their tray-loads to the drinks marquee for coffee or orange juice.

As the breakfast was to be eaten while standing during prize giving, trays, that could be easily carried and eaten from, were considered essential. We chose a design with a two-cup holder and a flat surface for placing food, a serviette and a spork for eating the muesli.

‘Go Geraldine‘, put us onto the local high school, who were fundraising for a trip to Cambodia, to provide peak serving time staff - a win-win for all parties!

Lovely Grub, provided the food service and drinks marquees via Hire Pool. We were on location directing the setup from the Wednesday till the final pack up on Sunday.

Along with the competitors, we noticed and greatly appreciated the assistance and hospitality shown to us by the Geraldine community. Whether it was for small items, advice from the supermarket or just getting our ‘fixes’ from the coffee shop, everyone was so helpful.

Read on for more photos

Lovely Grub and the Great New Zealand Trek

If you wish to learn about location catering this is the story to read.

This story started some seven years ago when Gavin heard this trek that was travelling from Cape Reinga to the Bluff, 8 days per year. He pitched three years running for the job in the North Island and gained a meeting with the trek principals during the last North Island leg.

Lovely Grub had just returned from 12 days at Twizel catering for Maadi Cup rowers when Judy, Pat and Gavin packed a new set of clean clothes and headed off for a 3 day road trip to Martinborough to learn about how to service the trek in the coming years. It was a fun trip combining work with pleasure - as is our way. (Lots of wine tasting and some sightseeing along the way). We believe what sets us apart from other caterers is the way we enjoy what we do. Being part of our client’s collaboration to make their event a success is another thrill.

It was to be another two years before we were successful in securing the first trek.  Read on for photos and accounts of the last two years

Working in amazing places

While we travel to many indoor venues with all the bells and whistles, we are equally at home in the great outdoors working from our fully-equipped and self-sustaining mobile kitchen fleet.

Follow on for photos of our gear and some of the amazing places we have worked at...

Helen taking in the view from deer park during the L.O.R.D. shoot

Rewarding work

Travelling to amazing places, seeing great things and meeting wonderful people - the rewards for dedicated effort in providing meals throughout New Zealand.

One location for catering on the L.O.R.D. movie shoot was eight hours from base by road with no chance of back up - and no cell phone coverage!

Starting at 4.30 am and returning to the motel after 5.30 pm meant we had to reply upon sending messages to our suppliers. Then our own dinner needs to be prepared before bedtime and the call-sheet has not been sent through. Bother! Looks like another half hour is needed to find out how many must be fed for breakfast and if they will be at one location or two - all adds up to a tough challenge.

The great thing about catering for this 150 cast and crew, was the wonderful Chinese friends we made along the way and the spectacular scenery. What an amazing place to see the full moon come up and go down in the same working day.

Our staff were fantastic, doing long hours away from home and family. Not only were they working all day with their mates but rooming with them as well. Check the photos out...

Lovely Grub Teams with High Profile Car Maker - Hyundai

Lovely Grub has paired with Hyundai over the last three years to provide their corporate catering at the South Island Field Days. It has provided food, expresso coffee and other drinks at their VIP area.

In 2015 we were with them at the new Kirwee site and the following year we went to Waimumu, just out of Gore. The last SIFD field days were again at Kirwee and were notable for the mud the enveloped the site after the recent heavy rain. It was a major trial even getting to the site let alone service it. Our kitchen truck and trailer had to be towed 400 meters in to site from the main road by the green tally loader.

It’s so much fun working for Hyundai when the sell yet another car. The customer gets to ring the bell and everyone in the site cheers.  Then we have some more entertaining to do.

Other Field Day Work for 2017

Apart from Hyundai we had Dow Agro Science, GEA Farm Technology, Fonterra and Balance Agri Nutrients to cater for in the mud. Travel inside the ground was either by 4 x 4 or walking - which was gumboots only.

Other Catering at the Same Time

During this busy period Lovely Grub had another team up at Cambridge in the North Island catering for 200 rowers attending the Maadi Cup. It was a busy week for all the staff but they coped extremely well with all clients being very happy with their service. Thanks guys.

NICE PEOPLE IN NICE PLACES

Just on two years ago, Michelle at Farmers Mutual called asking if Lovely Grub could do their corporate catering at the regional finals of their Young Farmer of the Year competition in Timaru.

It was very late notice and we were due to fly out to London on the Monday but the lady sounded really nice. She was worried that we would have to supply a meal in their marquee on a site without power. I explained that that was no problem as we have generators on the truck so the deal was done.

Well, we had been on site since early morning doing morning tea, preparing for dinner, when in to the truck came Radar. Like a breath of fresh air. He explained he was comparing the days proceedings and chatted for half an hour or so before commencing his work.

From helping out Michelle briefly for that day in Timaru we have catered for two of the three southern regional finals this year. At each, we have resumed our friendship with Radar. A lovely trip to Roxborough and one to Methven. Its great to support Farmers Mutual who are in turn supporting our rural community where you meet the nicest of people in the nicest of places. Keep up the good work Farmers Mutual.

Fencing competition during the 2017 Young Farmer of the Year southern regional finals at Roxborough.