A new restaurant helmed by renowned chef Pete Gawron opens this week at The Headwaters Eco Lodge in Glenorchy, near Queenstown.
Rustic yet sophisticated, homely yet supremely stylish, the acclaimed boutique lodge has been welcoming visitors to Glenorchy, a scenic gem of New Zealand, since 2018.
While lodge guests have long enjoyed fresh, seasonal and destination-worthy dinners prepared by Chef Gawron, the experience will now be available to diners from far and wide with the launch of The Dining Room at The Headwaters Eco Lodge.
Former founder, owner and head chef at Arrowtown’s Saffron restaurant, Pete earned recognition at Saffron as one of Condé Nast Traveller’s ‘Top 100 Tables’ of the world’s most exciting restaurants and has written well-regarded cookbooks with recipes based on foraged ingredients in Central Otago.
Inspired by culinary adventures in Morocco, Thailand and Europe in recent years, he is happiest in the kitchen creating culinary masterpieces using produce from The Headwaters’ year-round organic kitchen garden.
“There’s nothing better than creating freshly prepared garden-to-table meals each day with ‘just-picked’ produce from our own gardens and beautiful ingredients from our Central Otago providers,” he says.
“It’s a very special thing to be able to harvest your own produce and then within hours to cook it, to present it.
“It’s a uniquely holistic approach and the food reflects this beautiful creative environment.”
Chef Gawron describes the restaurant building, within the main lodge at The Headwaters, as “a masterpiece.”
“The architecture, the structure, the stonework and the fact that nearly every element is recycled means the entire building is a sculpture while also being functional art.”
A key element of the ever-evolving restaurant offering will be the range of wines on offer to complement its seasonal dishes.
“We’re completely, entirely blessed to work in an environment like Glenorchy that’s a stone’s throw away from one of the best Burgundy-style wine areas in the world,” says Chef Gawron. “When chefs produce food they often imagine which wines are best suited to that dish and right here we have some of the best New World pinots on our doorstep.”
Pinning him down to a certain food style or dishes is not possible when he admits to being hugely influenced by his travels and the cultures he immerses himself in.
“I’ve always seen cuisine as one of the windows into a culture. It’s personally enriching and also interesting for our guests to know that I’ve come back from my travels with authentic inspiration and my interpretation of recipes using ingredients we have right here.
“You’d be surprised by what’s growing in our gardens and year-round glasshouse and how the different ingredients are adapting to the Glenorchy microclimate.”
The Dining Room will open seven days a week to the general public and reservations are essential. A Wine, Drive And Stay package offers preferential rates for guests who want to treat themselves to dinner, accommodation and a full breakfast the following morning.Transport options are also available on request.
The Headwaters Eco Lodge is an idyllic haven of peace, tranquillity, and breathtaking scenery. The scenic 45-minute drive from the ‘busyness’ of Queenstown transports visitors to another world of secluded beech forests, native birdsong, stunning short walks and endless views.
The Headwaters Lodge is literally on the road to Paradise. Glenorchy is globally recognised as the gateway to the beautiful tracks and trails of Mt Aspiring National Park, including the famed Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s nine Great Walks.
This rustic luxe retreat is crafted to the highest global sustainability practices and features 14 elegantly appointed, supremely quiet premium eco chalets, plus The Headwaters House, which accommodates up to six guests.
The central Homestead building is a home away from home, featuring a stunning dining room, sumptuous lounge area and sunroom, and the spacious Humboldt Room for corporate retreats, complimentary morning yoga, or weddings.
All-inclusive packages called Adventures in Paradise are also available at the lodge. The small and intimate food, accommodation and exploration packages include an expertly curated range of outdoor activities and experiences inviting guests to experience the best of the Glenorchy area while weaving in time to relax, restore and reconnect with nature.
Founded by American philanthropists Debbi and Paul Brainerd, The Headwaters Eco Lodge has established a locally-administered charitable trust which returns profits to the wider Glenorchy community.
