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Culinary Curiosities You Can Only Find In South Canterbury
South Canterbury is more than just vast plains and prime farmland. The picturesque region is home to impressive culinary curiosities and a multitude of innovative producers. Across a huge range of diverse enterprises, they pour their heart and soul into everything they create.
From gin distillers and beer brewers to cheese makers and pie crafters, we’ve gathered everything you need to know to embark on your foodie tour of South Canterbury.
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Geraldine Butchery
The renowned Geraldine Butchery has stood the test of time for more than 30 years. The skilled butchers here go above and beyond to supply the best quality, local meat around. It gets better – once you make your selection, they’ll guide you on how to cook the piece of meat correctly, offering new recipe ideas while they’re at it. How good!
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Humdinger Gin Distillery
Geraldine’s Humdinger Gin may be a newcomer on the scene, but their gins have already arrived on the market with a bang. You’ll see what we mean once you stop by Humdinger’s distillery for a taste of their signature gins, crafted with passion and care. Gain insight into what goes on behind the scenes as you tour their petite factory.
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Geraldine Cheese Company
The award-winning Geraldine Cheese Company mixes traditional practices with the latest technology to produce nearly any type of cheese you can think of. They’re proud to stand out, creating specialty cheeses made with deer or sheep’s milk, alongside traditional cow or goat’s milk. The cheese makers love testing new ideas, so keep an eye out for those as they come.
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Al’s Laboratory
Al’s Laboratory is the result of one man’s mission to add unique flavours to dishes served at his Geraldine-based café, The Running Duck. The menu heroes Al’s hot sauces and spice rubs guaranteed to supercharge your tastebuds, carefully handcrafted in his workshop just across the road. Al’s products can be ordered online or at the café – the perfect way to elevate your cooking.
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Barker’s Foodstore & Eatery
Barker’s is a quintessential Kiwi brand found in just about every fridge and pantry across the country. Still going strong in Geraldine since the 1970s, Barker’s is the champion when it comes to jams, jellies, chutneys and syrups. At their Foodstore & Eatery, you can sample all the products they’re famous for from where it all began.
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Burkes Brewing Co
Little did you know Lake Tekapo is home to Aotearoa’s best beer. Burkes Brewing Co’s small-batch brews have been a hit among locals and visitors alike, so it was no surprise their Unforgiven Porter was named as the best beer in the country in 2021. Stop by and quench your thirst with Burkes’ unique brews, crafted with quality South Canterbury ingredients.
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Fairlie Bakehouse
You haven’t truly been to Fairlie until you sink your teeth into a famous Fairlie Bakehouse pie. Their buttery parcels of goodness have won multiple awards for good reason, made with hand-crafted pastry and exceptional ingredients that are hard to beat. It’s the perfect way to fuel up on a roadie around South Canterbury!
