We caught up with Hadas to find out more about her, her passion for Israeli food and her love of travel.

Meet Hadas

Where is home for you?

Home is definitely Israel even though I’ve lived in many different countries (India, France, Belgium and Norway and now Wanaka for the past 7 months!). Originally I’m from the north of Israel, a region called Misgav in the Galilee. But for the past 4 years I lived in Jerusalem.

What inspired your food journey?  I don’t know if I can say I really have a “food journey” but it’s just something I’ve always liked doing and been pretty good at. Definitely my mom is a big influence. She would cook for us every day. It was really important to her that we have a fresh meal everyday and she would always put so much effort into it and make sure it was healthy and delicious, especially since our house was vegetarian. As a result me and my two brothers are pretty passionate about cooking and making interesting, challenging things. In terms of places- my mom is Israeli so there was a lot of that food, but we also lived in India for 4 years when I was a kid and that was a very big influence in our kitchen. We eat lots of home cooked Indian food in our house. I also got the opportunity to work with a chef in a food truck back in Israel as a summer job before university. He also cooked vegetarian and he was so creative with it, I learned a lot from him, including the amazing veggie burger recipe (you MUST try this if you haven’t already – it may even convert the biggest mat eaters in your house!).

What made you want to come to New Zealand?

I decided to come to new Zealand because I had always wanted to, maybe because of Lord of the Rings or just the scenery and the nature really drew me in. I had also never lived and worked abroad by myself for a long period of time. I was at a place back home where I just felt like it was time. I had finished school and was at a crossroads with my job, to accept a promotion or leave, and I thought this was my chance to do the working holiday before I passed the age for it (I’m almost 29 now). It turned out to be the best timing ever with everything that’s happened since.

What’s your favourite Israeli dish and why?

There is so much good Israeli food, especially since there isn’t such a thing as one style or cuisine in Israel, it’s a mix of foods from different Middle Eastern and North African countries and the local Arabs/Palestinians as well as European food- that’s what makes it so diverse and rich. For me personally one of my favourites is Kubbeh soup (like the fried ones we sell but more like dumplings in a delicious vegetable soup), it’s Iraqi- Jewish originally and it’s one of my favourites when eating out in the amazing Jerusalem market.

What summarizes Israeli food?  Fresh, rich and flavorful. When I think of the food in Israel i think of all the wonderful fresh and cheap vegetables you can get. This was the inspiration for the Couscous with vegetables dish at The Food Truck (below).

Hadas’ Couscous

What’s your favourite food place in Wanaka -aside from The Food Truck – and why? Probably Firebird fried chicken, those thyme fries-yum! And I also love love spicy food.

What do you love most about NZ? I love the nature of course and am looking forward to traveling a lot this summer, and I love the chilled energy of the country (I haven’t spent that much time in the big cities). Coming from a big crazy city like Jerusalem, people here are very nice and easy going and don’t seem to take life too seriously 🙂

Hadas will be heading off on her travels soon and we will miss her. Her healthy take on Food Truck dining has been a welcome addition to The Camp and the Hawea community, so thank you. That begs the question…. what cuisine is up next for The Food Truck at The Camp??? Watch this space… Check-out our menu here and keep up to date with The Camp on Facebook here or Instagram here.

Chef Romaric Pessey’s love of French cuisine started at the tender age of 15 when he was mesmerized by the sparkle of the commercial kitchen stove, worktops and all the shiny silverware when he visited a professional kitchen as part of a school trip.

Fast forward to 2020, aged 30, Romaric is bringing his classic French cuisine to the Southern Lakes of New Zealand.  How?  Well he is taking on The Camp food truck at Lake Hawea for the season, or as he calls it “Le Camp Auto Grille”.

Romaric originates from the alpine town of Annecy in the French Alps, just half an hour from Geneva and so he is no stranger to the mountain lifestyle that Hawea and Wanaka offer.

After stints in a local restaurant and a summer in the Caribbean cooking ocean to plate with fresh fish and lobster, he spent four years in the UK training under 2 Star Michelin Chef Martin Burge where he honed his classic French style and English language at Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa in Malmesbury, The Cotswolds.

After a while, Romaric’s homeland lured him back again and he was asked to return by his old boss as sous-chef at a new restaurant called Le Jardin de Benjamin in Provence. The hard work and change of scenery paid off and, after just a year, the restaurant and chef Benjamin Collombat received a 1 Michelin Star, something Romaric is extremely proud of.

“We were on a summer break when I got the call from the head chef. I felt so proud, it was such a great achievement,” says Romaric.

Not a bad career high at just 25.

The ‘star’ bug had captured Romaric’s heart and he continued his classic training at 2 Star Michelin restaurant Hostellerie de Plaisance in Saint Emilion, before the travel bug took hold again, this time on the other side of the world.

Romaric’s love for New Zealand also started aged 15, when his cousins talked constantly about New Zealand. Hearing about the beauty and natural wonders, he made a promise he would come to NZ one day. His parents, not so keen due to his lack of English, put him off the idea, but 15 years later he finds himself in Lake Hawea.

Creating Auto Grille has given Romaric the opportunity to get back to his French roots, bringing authentic, classic and hearty alpine French cuisine to the Hawea, Wanaka and wider community.

“I wanted to bring The Alps to Hawea and Wanaka with easy, comfort, takeaway food that’s affordable, authentic and tasty.”

He’s certainly done that. The new Auto Grille menu is here for winter, featuring Croque Monsieur, Macaroni au Fromage, Boeuf Bourgignon, Leek and Salmon Quiche, Croissants and more.

Auto Grille is open Friday-Sunday, 9am-7pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner with Good Joe barista coffee too. Dine-in under the warmth of our marquee with BYO wine or beer or take home and feed the family after a day up the hill.

Visit Auto Grille, located in The Camp on SH6. Coming from the West Coast, turn left just before the Hawea bridge. Coming from Wanaka or Hawea? Turn right just after the Hawea bridge.

Bon Appétit!

We’re pretty sure, like us, that you’ve spent the last month at home cooking, baking and trying new recipes with the whanau. Some went well, others were a disaster.

We’ve seen some pretty good cooks out there. By now though we’re sure you’re all hanging out for some good old Kiwi Kai made by someone other than you; you know the kind, delicious burgers, tasty tacos and fabulous fish and chips.

More importantly who can’t wait for a good flat white or latte? Coffee — one of the only food products 99% of us can’t produce at home.

Fear not, we have your back Lake Hawea and Wanaka. The Food Truck at The Camp Lake Hawea is super excited to be re-opening at 9am Friday 01 May under strict Level 3 safety guidelines for contactless takeaways for pick-up.

Operating Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays from this date we are here to provide the Hawea/Wanaka community with delicious barista coffee from Good Joe Coffee Company, breakfast bagels and treats, along with burgers, tacos and fish and chips for lunch and dinner- all contactless of course. Pick-up takeaways galore.

Contactless pick-up under Level 3

How to Order? Call us on 027 226 0299 to make your order or just order when you arrive. Check out our daily treats on our Facebook page before ordering.
Payment method:  Paywave only on collection or credit card over the phone.
Location: We are located at The Camp Lake Hawea. Drive into the campground and head towards the office area, park-up and walk past the office to the Food Truck to collect your order.

Why not take a stroll and admire the autumn leaves while you are waiting for your order. Remember social distancing and the 2 metre rule still applies, but we have heaps of natural space for you to explore and stunning views of Lake Hawea.

Take your feed home or why not find a spot in our beautiful grounds and get some nature time?

Click here for the full menu.

Who’s joining us for the ride???? We know you’ve missed takeaways and coffee as much as we have, so why not go for a bubble walk or ride out to see us and grab a bite or a coffee while you’re here?

See you all soon.

Images: Credit Victoria Caffrey