Hunting for the ultimate foodie experience?

Te Puke Truffle Hunts + Truffle Lunch at Sugo Restaurant

Kitchen Takeover, Te Puke Truffles and Sugo Restaurant have teamed up to offer our foodies a rare and memorable experience that brings together the best of the Bay of Plenty’s produce and people. 

Since 2015 Maureen and Colin, owners of Te Puke truffles, have been harvesting some of the best quality truffles in New Zealand. Their truffles are so good they were featured on TVNZ Country Calendar and A New Zealand Food Story, as well as on the menu at New Zealand's top two restaurants, Amisfield and Ahi. Now they want to invite you on to their lifestyle farm to immerse yourselves in one of nature’s most prized foods. 

After your hunting experience, you’ll have the option to head off to one of The Bay’s best restaurants, Sugo, for a delectable two course Italian lunch, where Te Puke Truffle will be the hero. Sugo is led by chef Ian Harrison who has cooked for Marco Pierre White, Heston Blumenthal and more. His restaurant was shortlisted for Cuisines Magazine’s Good Food Awards in 2021, so you’re in for a treat.  

Click here to see all Truffle Experiences events

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TRUFFLE LUNCH WITH SUGO:

Want to experience Te Puke Truffles in an Italian inspired, two course lunch cooked by one of the Bay's top chefs? This year, we are hosting a delicious truffle lunch at Sugo, Tauranga. Sugo is a modern Italian inspired restaurant in the heart of Tauranga CBD headed up by award winning chef, Ian Harrison. Ian has cooked for the likes of Gordon Ramsey, Marco Pierre White and Heston Blumenthal, so you are in for a treat. Here is what Kitchen Takeover diners had to say about their experience when Ian headed up the kitchen at our latest Christmas pop up restaurant, Joyeux Noël. 

“Each delectable food course which we had we would have licked the plates clean had it not been socially frowned upon” - Cassie Archer

“The most amazing evening, a whole eating experience. Can recognise the thought, planning and culinary genius that has gone into creating a magical evening” - Lynley McGaughran

When?

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2nd June - 30th July. Bookings are available from 12pm-2pm to fit in either before or after your hunt experience. Or you’re welcome to enjoy lunch on its own if you don’t want to participate in the hunt. 

Times available? 

Lunch is open to all our Kitchen Takeover foodies and you do not need to attend the truffle hunt to enjoy the experience. 

We have two sessions available for lunch:

12.00-1.30pm and 12.45-2.15pm. 

Booking lunch for those attending the truffle hunt: 

If you are attending the morning truffle experience,  you will need to book the lunch seating from 12:45 - 2:15pm 

If you are attending the afternoon truffle experience, you will need to book the lunch seating from 12:00-1:30pm

How much?

The truffle lunch is $69pp and includes two courses with fresh truffle. 

Where? 

Sugo, 19 Wharf Street, Tauranga, 3110

How long does it take to travel from Sugo to Te Puke Truffle Farm?

Allow 45 minutes for travel. 

How to book?

You can simply add this option on at the check out. We are offering a gluten free or vegetarian option for lunch, but are unable to cater for vegans. 

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TRUFFLE HUNTING WITH TE PUKE TRUFFLES

The experience begins with the opportunity to hear Maureen and Colin’s personal story of how they started their truffière, alongside tasting Te Puke truffles in a delicious snack. Then it’s time to visit the truffière and watch Jed and Sam, their truffle hunting dogs hunt for truffles. Once the treasure is found, you’ll get to touch and smell nature’s black gold straight out of the ground.

Te Puke Truffles has 212 trees and is one of the highest producing truffle farms in New Zealand per capita, with an incredibly high truffle success rate. Please note, to preserve the farm, you will not be able to walk directly onto the truffière but will be able to witness the hunt from a few meters away. 

Finally, it’s back to the farmhouse for more tastings and the opportunity to ask questions or purchase fresh truffles or truffle products from the farm. 

What does the day look like?

Below is an example of the morning session:

• 10am - Arrive at Te Puke Truffle’s farm in Paengaroa. Enjoy complimentary morning tea and a chance to learn all about truffles and how the truffle farm was created.
• 10:30am - Head to the truffière to watch as truffle hunting dogs Jed and Sam hunt for truffles 
• 11:15am - Complimentary tastings cooked by Maureen who is passionate about finding unique ways to cook with truffles
• 11:45am - The opportunity to buy fresh truffle or truffle products from Maureen and Colin's range of truffle treats if you wish. 
• 12.00pm - Time to head off or continue on to Sugo for a two course truffle lunch. 

When are the hunts?

The hunts run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 2nd June to 30th July. 

Fridays and Saturdays from: 10:00am - 12:00pm or 2:30pm - 4:30pm

Sundays from: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Where are the hunts taking place?

Te Puke Truffles - 298 Maungarangi Road, Paengaroa.

How much? 

The cost of the hunt and tastings $99 per ticket + a small booking fee. 

What do our hunters say?

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews

"Yet another fabulous addition to the Kitchen Takeover experience. A unique opportunity to hear and view first hand from a local grower what it takes to grow and harvest truffles. Who knew this was on our doorstep. A fun, fact filled, record breaking truffle find experience, capped off with some superb tasting treats. Highly recommended." Mandy Jarvis 

"What an engaging and interesting experience. Colin and Maureen are passionate and fabulous hosts who obviously love what they do. We loved both the tasting and the hunting." Sonia Tibble

"Had a wonderful day out with my mum learning about the fascinating black truffles. A beautiful picturesque property with wonderful friendly hosts and amazing tastings!" Charlotte Taylor

Got a question?

Please email support@iticket.co.nz