Upper Hutt Goes Rural for the weekend

Upper Hutt Goes Rural for the weekend

Many people have a love for good food, hunting and the outdoors. Over Labour Weekend Upper Hutt’s rural focus takes over with the staging of the Rimutaka Tavern Wildfood and Hunting Weekend. Over the last couple of years organizers have added new elements to focus on food preparation and opportunities to taste and try different wild foods

On Thursday night, 21 October, there will be an opportunity to try some free samples of wild food in the Rimutaka Tavern Sports Bar, around 5.30pm. It is important to explain that all the wild game food sold or sampled over the weekend is supplied from quality approved suppliers. Hunters can eat the game they get and share with friends but cannot sell or supply to the public.

On Saturday 23 October, on radio station Newstalk ZB between 9am and midday, people will be interviewed and share some of their knowledge about hunting, where to buy approved wild meats, recipes, and wine matching. Cafe Cibo, in the foyer of Expressions will have free wild food sampling from 9.30am to midday. Subject to availability, kangaroo tasting should be the flavour of the day. Also on Saturday at Liquorland at the Rimutaka Tavern there will be free wild food sampling from midday until 3pm.

On Sunday 24 October the highlight is the Wild Food Buffet dinner at the River Fern Steakhouse at the Rimutaka Tavern, from 6pm. Subject to availability there will be goat, kangaroo, venison, and pig on the menu.

The Irish band, Finn McColl – a duo of guitar and fiddle – will be the evening’s entertainment. Bookings are essential on 04-526-8558 – at only $35 a head this is not to be missed (drinks excluded). The River Fern Steakhouse has one of the best views in the Hutt Valley, overlooking the Hutt River.

The climax of the weekend is on Monday 25 October with the Pig Hunting Competition weigh-in from midday. There is barbequed wild food on sale, and the prize giving starts around 3.15pm. Wild pigs, deer, and goats all feature in the hunt weigh-in. Children bring in the rabbits, hares, and possum they have hunted. There will be plenty of activity in the forecourt of the Rimutaka Tavern throughout the day.

Limited parking is available on the grassed area adjacent to the Caltex petrol station for a gold coin donation – proceeds to Wellington Free Ambulance (Upper Hutt).

ENDS

© Scoop Media