This wedding had strong Cook Island connections so amazing dancing and drumming entertainment were a treat along with a big hit with Taro in coconut milk. Right from our first arrival we were greeted by many family and friends who assisted our set-up in many ways. Their warmth was evident all night and we love going the extra mile when everyone makes it so easy.

A 'toolbox' breakfast awaits Downer staff working on the Southern Motorway extension project near Templeton

This type of catering has become very popular recently as a way of rewarding workers for getting up that extra bit earlier to attend health and safety briefings and other workplace presentations.

We provided 2 of these breakfasts for Downer staff in December - 2 teams of 120. Again, our ability to cater on site and on time with a smile in the early hours helped brighten the day.

Our seamless arrangements on-site and flexibility, often at short notice are valuable to managers needing to maintain work schedules. In this case we were able to provide a truck within 6 hours, overnight.

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.

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.