It might be getting colder outside, but for aficionados of fine food the arrival of winter means only one thing: the start of the truffle season. In a few weeks time, the truffle growers of Canterbury will be taking their talented dogs out into their truffieres and digging up the first black and white truffles of the 2021 season. As soon as they reach optimum ripeness – when their powerful aromas are at their strongest – they’ll be popping up in restaurants all over Christchurch and Canterbury, bringing their mouthwatering flavours to the finest and most creative in the land.
The Canterbury Truffle Festival is an annual celebration of these wonderful fungi and brings together truffle growers, chefs, restaurants and wineries to demonstrate just why these mysterious underground fungi are regarded as one of the pinnacles of the great cuisines of the world.
Throughout the month of July there will be truffle hunts, where you can experience of thrill of seeing talented dogs find truffles, truffle lunches and days out, special truffle meals, and the chance to buy truffle to use in your own kitchen. Highlights include:
Black Estate’s truffle day out – enjoy a truffle hunt at Kings Truffles and a superb lunch at the award-winning winery restaurant.
Pegasus Bay’s truffle lunch with special guest chef Cory Campbell
Take a train ride to Waikari for a truffle hunt and lunch with chef Giulio Sturla
A seven course truffle dinner at Otahuna Lodge with chef Jimmy McIntyre
A truffle extravaganza at Inati with chef Simon Levy and his team
Truffle tastings and truffle products for sale with the Sassy Salt Lady at Riverside Markets, and the Christchurch and Ohoka farmers’ markets
And of course, truffles on the menu at all the best restaurants and cafes in the country.
More details here soon….