Organic fruit at Te Mata | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd April 17, 2011

Te Mata Wine, Te Mata Cheese, Te Mata Peak may all be names recognizable to Hawkes Bay visitors and residents but Te Mata Orchard less so. Only a stone's throw from the Te Mata Cheesery, the orchard is an organic operation growing apples, pears and plums. Ian Kiddle, who has hosted me on a couple of occasions exports produce and also supplies the Pure Fresh brand seen in New Zealand supermarkets. The domestic organic market in NZ is worth about $350 million (at last count) and more than half that value is exported. Evidence is mounting the world wants sustainable produce.

Epicurus rediscovered

murray lloyd April 6, 2011

Epicurus (341–270 B.C.) founded one of the major philosophies of ancient Greece, helping to lay the intellectual foundations for modern science and for secular individualism. Many aspects of his thought are still highly relevant some twenty-three centuries after they were first taught in his school in Athens, called “the Garden.” Epicurus primarily promoted the pleasures of the mind, friendship and contentment - pleasure without pain. However recent use of the word epicurean links this philosophy to a life frequented by bouts of hedonism especially food consumption and sex - this pleasure is said to derive from pain i.e hunger and desire

Epicurean Supplies , a garden in Hawkes Bay, spans the divide between the ancient philosophy and the recent interpretation linked to food. Indeed perhaps Clyde Potter (owner of Epicurean Supplies) is the modern Epicurus.

Clyde's disciples in this case are a small permanent staff and a varying band of itinerent woofers. I imagine anyone who has eaten his organic micro salads, fresh herbs and heirloom vegetables can attest to this. Clyde's jewel- like produce not only provides good health but allows your eyes to feast as well, bringing a sense of pleasure completely unaccompanied by pain. It is with sad news I learnt of Clyde’s passing recently.

Walnut recipes by Ruth Pretty| Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd March 31, 2011

Having only eaten walnuts sporadically I was intrigued to find although the nut has culinary use, the shells are used for making dynamite, oil paint, plastics and helping to drill oil wells. I am sure the dynamite discovery must have come from some lateral thinker watching the walnuts 'explode' from their husks before falling to the ground.

The walnuts (roasted) go well with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Champagne...

Whole Parmiganio Reggiano cheese with cheese straws and champagne.

...but if you desire something tasty on a smaller budget try this salad from Ruth Pretty

Ruth Pretty's pear, celery and walnut salad with honey vinaigrette.

True Earth Organics in NZ | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd March 21, 2011

You may have seen the Lawsons True Earth label around town, especially as they distribute carrots, onions, blueberries and pumpkin all over the North Island in plentiful quantity. Situated in Hawkes Bay next to the Gimblett gravels (as branded by the wine industry) Scott and Vicki have farmed the 100 hectare block organically since 1992.

It seems they have brought organic fresh veges and blueberries very much into the mainstream as the produce can not only be found in the organic supply chain but also in foodie destinations (Moore Wilsons etc) and regular supermarkets.

However you won't see their organic potatoes as the pest psyllid has made it uneconomic to grow them unless dealt with in a non organic way. This is a big loss but really lives up to the the name True Earth.

Organic blueberies in factory — Blueberries in factory

Pumpkins being loaded into crate — Pickers with pumpkins

Pumpkins growing in sunshine — Pumpkins growing

picking organic carrots — Picking organic carrots

organic onions in bags — organic onions being bagged

picking blueberries — picking organic blueberries

Close up photo of organic blueberries growing — Organic blueberries growing

True Earth Organics sign — True earth organics

Hawkes Bay Organic Butcher | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd March 15, 2011

Located in Hastings, the Organic Farm Butchery processes and distributes beef and lamb from Ti Kouka an organic farm near Waimarama (they also have some pigs). After photographing at the farm last year I thought it would would good to see another side of the operation. The mainstream media have published large quantities of material about farmers markets, local produce and consumers wanting to know where their food comes from.

However thinking more about images of beef carcasses and slabs of meat I wonder if the public is ready for an even closer viewpoint. While I was photographing, numerous boxes of organic meat went out the door. Nothing was wasted as the bones seen in the trolley were destined for the beef stock at a gourmet food supplier.

Exterior of the organic butchery in Hastings

Beer flag flies with National Flags | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd March 8, 2011

Tino Rangatira, New Zealand, Australia, United States..... and DB Draught? The inclusion suggests the brand sees itself as imparting national identity. I am not sure it will be in consideration for the intended NZ flag redesign.

Wild Food Festival Photos | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd February 22, 2011

The famous Wild Foods Festival is a shock awaiting anyone used to romantic farmers' markets or sterilised supermarket offerings. On the menu one year you could get a shot of horse semen washed down with Red Bull. Among the culinary highlights on my last visit were seagulls bottoms, bull's penis sausages (3000 made from 40kgs), worm slammers (rumour had it the worms were sourced from a local graveyard), and live or chocolate coated huhu grubs.

The more restrained dishes on offer included sliced, pickled fern trunks, whitebait in various guises, and Hoki -Tikka from the local Indian curry house. Wild indeed.

Ruth Pretty Hamburger Recipe | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd February 4, 2011

When I read the rugby sevens crowd was going to eat 12000 hamburgers on the weekend it made me think how the humble burger (particularly Mac - burgers) are often targeted by critics of the fast food industry.

On the other side advertisers try various approches to make us eat more. If you want to get away from mass production and the products of Hamburger University try the Lembastic burger from Lembas Cafe in Raumati South (Now named Raumati Social Club) which took out the title of Wellington’s best burger.

If you are looking for an inspiration for the BBQ try this hamburger recipe from Ruth Pretty. Wouldn't it be great for stadiums to have this standard of food.

Classic hamburger with fries for Ruth Pretty cookbook

Prize winning cupcakes at NZ show | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd January 30, 2011

The highlight for me at the Levin A&P show last week was the Home Industry display. In amongst the Christmas puddings, fruitcakes and scones were two entries for cupcakes. I was told this was only the second year cupcakes had been accepted, perhaps reflecting the slow pace of change away from the city (where all the talk has now switched to macaroons).

Other highlights were the jams, and vegetable creations. Outside in the pens was the usual fluttering of ribbons amongst the winning pigs, chickens, sheep and cattle. However I noticed the prizewinning export lambs were not getting carried away by their win. For those technology buffs - I photographed the A&P show on an old Mamiya C330 Twin Lens Reflex camera using roll film.

Sign advertising home industries at Levin A&P show in New Zealand

Prize winning cupcakes at A&P Show in Levin, New Zealand.

Heritage plums in NZ| Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd January 21, 2011

I had the good luck to photograph an orchard teeming with an amazing variety of heritage plums and apples. I was familiar with plum names such as Billington, Greengage and Fortune but how about Keruru Gold, Hawera, Ox heart ( deeply complex and delicious flavour), Purple King, Luisa, Casselman and Cacak? And apples - Monty's Surprise is currently being researched for cancer prevention properties. Victory Line Orchard in Levin is run by Mike and Frances Beech . They sell the plums (and apples) only at Paraparaumu Market on Saturday morning. This is the place to see the difference between a Nonnetit Bastard, a Ballarat and an Italian prune, whilst also giving your support to a very unique orchard.

Red heritage plums growing — Heritage plums

Monty's surprise growing on tree in sunshine — Frances Beech with honey from her beehives

Small granny smith apples with water on then growing on a tree — Granny Smith apples growing on tree

Walnuts and Granny Smith Apples | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd January 12, 2011

Expecting to find handfuls of ripe Damson plums on our tree recently I was shocked to find an empty tree, footsteps underneath and a plastic shopping bag flapping around. Security has been discussed subsequently (has anyone got suggestions?). At least the Granny Smiths and walnuts are still to look forward to. This post has recipes for walnuts.

Ugly Carrot Personality | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd December 24, 2010

When given a fresh bag of garden produce from my father in law's garden it contain a bunch of misshapen carrots. Or possibly not. Although the produce would be rejected by supermarkets for lack of size ugly veges like these are now becoming trendy. Surely they have other creative possibilities as well...I am seeing the 3 wise men at the moment.

Taj Mahal seen in Pakistan? | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd December 13, 2010

Food Photos in Wgtn Restaurants|Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd December 6, 2010

I love photographing food and it is always a pleasure to get involved with Wellington's restaurants and food scene. These images were all photographed on location with minimal props. David Burton's provided reviews and the photos were published in the Dominion Post Wine Guide.

Mother and son fishing with whitebait net at waikanae, New Zealand.

Ruth Pretty Whitebait Recipe | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd November 10, 2010

Elusive as they are, whitebait always attract controversy. If it isn't about how many whitebait make a good fritter, it's a river-side turf war on the West Coast or environmentalists holding whitebait up as the poster children for polluted rivers. While West Coasters boast of one and three hundred kilo catches, this season half a cup is a good result from a few hours at the Waikanae River.

However the half cup could go toward this recipe from Ruth Pretty, and if you miss out completely there is the mock whitebait recipe in old versions of the Edmonds Cookery Book.

West Coast Whitebait with zucchini ribbons

Shepherds Shemozle in Hunterville | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd October 28, 2010

In Hunterville around Oct/Nov is one of the highlights on New Zealand's event calendar. The day features the Miss Hunterway Competition - "a beauty show for real bitches", a Dog barking sound off and the Shepherds' Shemozzle - a race pitting man and dog against other men and dogs along a fear factor type course (they do one for kids as well). In the past the notorious food stop has included - sheep eyes, pints of cream, bread buns, raw eggs, pints of beer, freshly dug carrots (with dirt), warm coca cola, bulls testicles, and vinegar. The food is expected to be forced down at the food stop as fast as possible by red-faced shepherds having just run/jumped and crawled several kilometers with their ever faithful dogs beside them all the way.

Food Photography on the Move | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd October 21, 2010

Events are always places you find food on the move. Recently I was providing photography at an event at the Langham Hotel in Auckland and pointed my camera at food on the move. The results of the photographs are always random using long exposures - maybe 15th or 1/8th of a second and panning the camera while keeping the food in focus. The photographs seem to suit this method as it matches the waiters streaming into the room delivering plates of fine New Zealand food to the awaiting guests.

Food on the move at the Langham Hotel in Auckland

Food on the move at Logan Brown Restaurant

Waiters carrying food at Pinot Noir Conference, an event in Wellington celebrating New Zealand Pinot noir

Tendertips Asparagus Photos | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd October 18, 2010

Asparagus, one of the harbingers of spring, reminds me of the difference between living here in Wellington and in a city like London. Instead of year round supply we get proud announcements at Moore Wilson Fresh proclaiming the first arrivals from Tender Tips in Levin. The photographs here show some of the Tender Tips operation.

Tentertips asparagus growing in Levin, NZ.

Fresh asparagus being sorted by hand in Levin at Tendertips Asparagus..

Freshly picked asparagus being processed in Levin at Tendertip Asparagus.

Freshly picked asparagus being processed in Levin at tendertips Asparagus.

Freshly picked asparagus being exported to Japan by Tendertip Asparagus in Levin

Burnt toast being held up with the word damn cut into it.

Playing with Food | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd October 15, 2010

A certain teenager in our house oozed creativity but was a reluctant participant in the kitchen. On some occasions the creative spirit rescued food disasters...a few years on a she was the top illustrator when she graduated from Massey University in Wellington. What is the lesson? Let children play with their food.

Hohepa Biodynamic Cheese in NZ | Murray Lloyd Photography

murray lloyd October 13, 2010

Multiple awards in the Cuisine cheese awards establish Hohepa as one of New Zealand's preeminent boutique cheese making operations. The staff at Hohepa could not have been more generous with their time while I photographed the cheese making operation in Hawkes Bay. I particularly like the vintage Danbo and the fenugreek flavoured cheese.