Get ready, food lovers - The North Course is back and better than ever this November! Now in its third year, this month-long celebration showcases North Canterbury's finest food, wine, and hospitality.
The North Course kicked off on Friday 1st November, and is the perfect opportunity for diners to explore and support their local community.
33 eateries from the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts are taking part, each creating a ‘North Course’ dish that highlights at least one ingredient sourced from North Canterbury.
“This event is a chance to connect with our amazing local food, wine, and hospitality scene in a new way,” says Kelly Lynch, event organiser of Enterprise North Canterbury (ENC) and MADE NORTH CANTERBURY initiative.
“This campaign serves as a bridge between local producers and consumers, with eateries showcasing locally sourced ingredients in their dishes. It offers producers great exposure and drives foot traffic to local restaurants. It also helps diners appreciate the quality and provenance of North Canterbury ingredients.”
Last year’s top eateries—Black Beech in Oxford, Brew Moon in Amberley, The Office Cafe in Waikuku, and No.31 Bar and Restaurant in Hanmer Springs—set the bar high, and now we eagerly await to see which dishes will stand out this year.
As customers taste and rate each dish, they’ll have the chance to go in the draw for an amazing North Canterbury getaway experience. This year’s grand prize includes a stay at Tawanui Farm’s new A-Frame Cabin, a luxury spa package at Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa, and two tickets to the 2025 North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival.
Local retailers are also getting behind the event, with both Rangiora PAK'nSAVE and New World Ravenswood featuring displays highlighting local products alongside recipe cards created by Jen Pomeroy of The Modern Mess in Amberley and Clare Giffard of Urban Revival in Silverstream.
Angela Clifford from ‘The Food Farm’ will also host “The North Course on The Food Farm” tour on Saturday, November 23rd 10am-12pm, giving people another chance to explore local flavours. This immersive experience will cover the entire farm, providing insights into sustainable farming practices and the growing process. Participants will have the chance to ask any food-growing questions they might have and receive takeaway notes on establishing a new garden bed and how to start a food forest.
“We encourage everyone to get out and experience the very best that North Canterbury has to offer,” says Kelly. “Support our local eateries and the incredible producers in our region—why not make a road trip and enjoy the flavours of North Canterbury!”
Join us throughout November for The North Course and support local, taste, and rate and be in to win. Discover what’s made in your backyard and help us celebrate a month full of North Canterbury flavour.
The North Course is a MADE NORTH CANTERBURY event, supported by Visit Waimakariri and Visit Hurunui. MADE NORTH CANTERBURY is North Canterbury’s first provenance brand, established by Enterprise North Canterbury in 2020 to connect, promote, and champion our local food and beverage producers.
Visit www.thenorthcourse.co.nz from November 1st to view and rate dishes. Follow @madenorthcanterbury on Facebook or Instagram for regular updates on dishes, participating establishments, and prizes.