Tag: Greystone Wines

  • Food, Wine & Life Online

    Food, Wine & Life Online

    On Saturday afternoon, I had the pleasure of hosting 21 guests at the first in what will hopefully be a regular lunch and dinner series. Food, Wine & Life Online was a chance to bring people together for a beautiful meal and conversation.

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    The group consisted of small business owners, photographers, chefs, freelancers, designers, nurses, social workers, entrepreneurs, academics, and artists. In attendance was a woman who had only moved to Christchurch four months ago and others who’ve lived in Christchurch for most of their lives. We spent a few hours together, enjoying four vegan courses prepared by Flip and Yousef at Grater Goods paired with Greystone wines. The event was intimate and informative yet informal, the perfect size to get to speak to everyone and learn a bit more about who they are.

    I spoke a little bit about my experience moving to Christchurch four years ago, building a creative community, and why I think these types of gatherings are so important. Alissa talked us through the wines, winemaking process at Greystone, and how their wines are 100% certified organic and vegan (unlike many NZ wines that contain animal byproducts…) Flip spoke about her journey becoming a vegan and why she creates food that challenges our preconceived notions about plant-based food. You need to try their salmon lox bagel (which is actually carrot, not salmon) and KFT (tofu that could pass for the real thing!)

    If you want to read more about what inspired me to hold this event, I’ve written about it here. Otherwise, have a look through the photos taken by my dear friend, Nancy Zhou and leave me a comment if you’re interested in coming along to the next one. We’re looking at having it amongst the olive groves at the Greystone vineyard.

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    A big thank you to everyone who came along and supported this idea, to Nancy for taking these photos and Grater Goods and Greystone for providing the food and wine. I am immensely grateful for your love and support.

  • Why I’m Hosting My First-Ever Event

    Why I’m Hosting My First-Ever Event

    In just a couple weeks, I’ll be hosting my very first event: a long lunch with two of my favourite local businesses. Food, Wine & Life Online is a chance to meet likeminded folk who cherish good food, organic wine and conversation.

    The idea to host a gathering came about while scrolling through Instagram (typical). Feeling increasingly detached from the current social media landscape, I noticed how many accounts I was following purely for inspiration. My feed’s become saturated with similar photos using similar engagement strategies. I’m following so many accounts and falling deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole.

    I think many of my friends and fellow digital nomads feel the same way. We’re all becoming disillusioned with the online landscape and what it’s become. Spending hours working alone, creating content, writing blog posts or editing videos means we forget to slow down, to take care of ourselves and check in on each other.

    Having attended countless blogger events in Toronto, I now feel like I’m in a position to plan and host an event of my own. Specifically, I want to host something that’s less about surface-level networking and more about vulnerability and forming deeper connections. I was inspired by a Kinfolk gathering I attended a few years ago, where I sat between two people I’d never met before. These gatherings are intimate meals in gorgeous restaurants and homes. They are seasonal celebrations designed by local chefs and creatives. Christchurch needs more of these sorts of gatherings.

    I want to live a more considered life, at a measured pace, where I step back and appreciate each moment. I want to get to know my neighbours and fellow entrepreneurs, to contribute to my creative community and the well-being of my city. This event is my first step in that direction, so I hope you’ll come along to see what it’s all about.

    Held at Grater Goods in Sydenham, Food, Wine & Life Online will bring together people from different corners of the city for a three-course vegan lunch and wine by North Canterbury’s own, Greystone Wines. In attendance will be a handful of creatives, foodies and small business owners, but most importantly locals who are looking for new opportunities within the community. Christchurch has been through so much, more than any city of its size should ever endure. So, let’s take time to get to know each other better, to be more empathetic and kind.

    See you on August 31st.

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