Heard of Paddock To Pantry?
No, well let us introduce you to one of the best hidden gems within the Auckland region.
Paddock To Pantry may seem like your local grocery store, but it is so much more. With their roots in Karaka, the boutique store not only supplies the local community, they also deliver groceries and gifts across New Zealand. They’ve even had a Gift Basket hand-delivered to one of the most famous addresses in the world - Buckingham Palace.
When owner Melanie received a call asking to create a bespoke Gift Box filled with Gourmet New Zealand treats for Her Majesty The Queen, she thought it was a relative prank calling her. “I didn’t believe the caller at first, asking to create a Gift Basket for The Queen seemed very far-fetched! Especially since we were in the beginning stages of our business.” After further investigation it turned out to be a real request, and a beautiful Paddock To Pantry Gift Box was curated and hand-delivered to Buckingham Palace by the Prime Minister.
Owners Melanie and Wayne Kennerley are Karaka locals and took over the store when it was run down and close to closing its doors for good. Since Paddock To Pantry has become a staple of the community, with the whole family involved in running the store.
The beautiful flowers that greet you on entry are often picked fresh that morning by Melanie from The Kennerley’s garden. For the products that they can’t grow themselves, the Paddock To Pantry team source as much as possible from local suppliers including free range eggs, export-grade strawberries and even hand-drawn cards from a local artist.
Community support is crucial to Paddock To Pantry and the team are always looking for a way to give back. Their food waste is collected daily by a local farmer to be enjoyed by their pigs, and most recently the store was a key supporter of the Franklin Hospice Garden Ramble, raising funds to provide comfort to those in the community at the end of their lives.
Although Paddock To Pantry is a local store, they have impeccable taste for artisan delicacies. They endeavour to provide their customers with the highest quality products and second best won’t do. They source artisan delicacies from around the world including the finest Panettone from Italy, Dutch Cocoa Powder and Premium French Champagne.
The store itself is rustic and quaint, with a wooden cart that has an ever-changing display of premium gifts and gourmet treats being the highlight of the store. If you glimpse out the back you’ll often spot Melanie and the team curating their premium gift boxes, including the beautiful fruit hampers and picnic baskets ranged here on Celebration Box.
Why not make your gift into a day trip? Order your fruit hamper or picnic basket through us and choose to pick-up at Paddock To Pantry. Not only will you be able to check out this delightful store where you can treat yourself to a freshly scooped Kowhai Creamery ice cream or Allpress Coffee on arrival, you’ll be able to explore the local area highlights such as Clarks Beach or the newly opened CCT Lavender Farm.
If you can’t make it to Karaka, be sure to check them out at www.paddocktopantry.co.nz.