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Tastes of Nature Cooking Demonstration and Lunch
To dine at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is to savour the tastes of nature. Let our private chefs show you how to select, prepare and present a seasonal menu with lots of versatility to add your own elements.

Date

By Arrangement

Time

By Arrangement

Location

Moraine Lodge

Cost*

$165 per person

*All prices are shown in New Zealand dollars and include GST.

If you wish to make a booking within 72 hours of your experience, please contact us directly. We may have availability that is not displayed on our website.

EVENT DETAILS

Join our chef in the Moraine Lodge kitchen for a unique cooking class focused on the creation of a ‘Tastes of Nature’ two-course meal based on seasonal herbs and plants. Afterward, linger over a truly fresh, nutritious and delicious lunch.

Our chefs say:

“During the cooking demonstration we want to show people how simple it can be to make a showstopping centerpiece for any dinner party with a few tricks and chef hacks. After this masterclass you will confidently be able to put together an amazing feast for your friends and whanau without the stress. We will be giving you our very own methods for selecting, cooking and presenting the seasonal menu, teaching you how to cook it perfectly without fail. We look forward to seeing you there to enjoy a long lunch together over a couple of drinks at Moraine Lodge.”

During the experience, wine pairing suggestions (wine not included) from our carefully curated wine cellar are presented to you. After lunch or between courses, stroll around the Moraine Lodge environs or try your hand at a friendly game of croquet on the lawn. Moraine Lodge overlooks the Ben Ohau mountain range and tawny Mackenzie Country landscape.

Venue: Moraine Lodge, Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat | 2 ½ hours | Minimum charge of 2 people | $165 per person.

The cooking demonstration and delicious lunch is included in the tariff. Please request the date you wish to book your demonstration and lunch at purchase.

Free parking onsite.

A cash / EFTPOS bar is available.

Moraine Lodge is located at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, 86 Mount Cook Road (SH80), Lake Pukaki 7999. We are just 860 metres from the SH8 and SH80 intersection.

More Upcoming Events

Our upcoming events are featured below. Purchase your tickets to reserve your place, and feel free to contact us with any questions. And check back for more new events to be released throughout the year.

View All Events
Mothers Day High Tea at Moraine Lodge

Mothers Day High Tea at Moraine Lodge

Event Date - Sunday 14 May 2023

Give your Mum the gift of time with family with a high tea at Moraine Lodge. Our chefs have whipped up a tasty high tea menu brimming with morsels that will delight your taste buds with traditional scones, delicate finger sandwiches, and freshly baked sweet and savoury treats innovatively crafted using flair and fresh locally sourced ingredients.

Matariki Dawn Celebration and Breakfast

Matariki Dawn Celebration and Breakfast

Event Date - Friday 14 July 2023

Celebrate Matariki rising with friends and family at the Retreat. Join us at 6am to welcome the dawn on the Retreat's lawn followed by breakfast at Moraine Lodge.

Matariki 9 Course Degustation Dinner

Matariki 9 Course Degustation Dinner

Event Date - 15 July 2023

Celebrate Matariki in the company of friends, colleagues or family over delicious kai presented as a 9 course degustation menu prepared the Retreat chefs.   Each course on the menu relates to a star within the Matariki Constellation.

Billion Star Dining

Billion Star Dining

Event Date - By Arrangement

We created the Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory to share the beauty of the Dark Sky Reserve with our guests through small, private gatherings in a comfortable, intimate setting. Billion Star Dining starts with a 3 course meal at Moraine Lodge followed by a stargazing experience at Pukaki Wine Cellar Observatory for groups of 4 – 12 guests.

Stargazing at Pukaki Wine Cellar Observatory

Stargazing at Pukaki Wine Cellar Observatory

Event Date - By Arrangement

Join us for a unique dark sky experience in the Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory. This is a fun, informative and unique experience where you will explore the universe in a small group setting with opportunities to take incredible photos of deep space objects.

Trust the Chef Dinner Reservation

Trust the Chef Dinner Reservation

Event Date - By Arrangement

We extend a warm welcome to day guests wishing to join us for a 3-course Trust the Chef culinary experience at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat.

Plan Your Celebration

If you’re searching for the perfect setting for your own celebration or special event, Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat will exceed your expectations in every way. To make your experience even more special, stay at the Retreat in our private luxury villas.

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Weddings at the Retreat

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From the moment I booked the villa to the time we departed, everything was perfect. Kaye made recommendations for tours and quickly accommodated us when our party grew from 2 to 4. The 2 bedrooms are both the same size, so there is no fighting over who gets the bigger room! Food was abundant and absolutely fresh and delicious throughout the entire stay. We picked out our wine from the wine cellar upon arrival and, the next night, Luke brought up a variety of bottles for us to choose from for dinner that night. We had an absolutely clear sky for stargazing in the observatory, and saw some brilliant stars, along with Saturn. Anna made sure that we had every supplement we needed, including picnic lunch and massages in the private spa. Also, the fireplace was set up to ensure that even fire dummies could get a flame going. We were in absolute heaven, and can honestly say this was the best part of our trip!

Katie S. 
Katie S.