Events of the past long holiday Easter weekend here at Struan Farm may result in another "fifteen minutes of fame" for me, just when I thought I'd done my dash and was fading into the shadows. John is joking that I can now write my memoir, "From Manhattan Beach to Choice TV."
About a week ago I got a call from a producer of the Choice TV show "Kai Safari," saying that they were coming to the Waitomo/Piopio area and wanted to come to film here at Struan Farm. They were interested in our figs and feijoas, and I told them about the kahikatea berries I'd been experimenting with for jam. We agreed they'd appear the morning of Easter Sunday with the hosts and crew. Later in the conversation it became clear that I was meant to cook something. Of course we also had twelve farmstay guests here over the weekend, not much on!
The weather forecast for the day was pouring down rain. Fortunately that didn't happen. John announced he did not want to feature AT ALL so I was put on the spot. A drone was sent up to get some aerial shots of the farm's landscape. Co-host Sonia and I picked figs from one of our heirloom "Huia" fig trees, also kahikatea berries (koroi). No one had known kahikatea berries are edible, so it was good to be able to spread the word about that. Friends Lizzie and Ripeka were driven into Piopio and the Community Fruit & Veg Stand for a brief chat about Piopio before returning so that I could make a fig, apple and feijoa shortcake. It was the first time I'd combined all three fruits in one cake, but producer Pete directed me to do so and he made a good choice as it turned out (he's a chef and clearly knows what he's doing!). The day wrapped with afternoon tea around the dining room table.
The next morning they went off to see Melanie at The Fat Pigeon Cafe and Night Owl restaurant. The cafe was so busy that they moved filming over to the restaurant, a quieter and better spot. Mel was presented with a wild hare shot a few days ago on a nearby Hangatiki property owned by a fellow named "Jazz" and his family. She ended up creating an amazing "Hare and Pear Salad," marinating the meat in a blackberry vinaigrette before searing it and slicing thinly, serving it with freshly foraged watercress, walnuts candied in Piopio Gold honey, and kahikatea berries. Mel hadn't known about kahikatea berries either, so I feel like I've done my bit on behalf of kahikateas. After Mel's segment was finished filming everyone involved gathered around a big table at the Night Owl for a "hakari" or feast to celebrate. My shortcake featured for dessert. Co-host Russell composed and played a song on his guitar to commemorate the occasion.
They'll let us know when the show is scheduled to air. Who knows what bits will make the show or end up on the cutting room floor, but t was a fun experience either way! Piopio: Where It All Happens.
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