Pete Evans and Dinner at Kauri Cliffs

Last night jetlag got the better of me hence I write this as I have breakfast.

In the evenings all the guests are invited to the main lodge for pre dinner drinks and canapés. Jackets are a must for gentlemen and it is lovely to see people dress for dinner.

This weekend is a special food and wine weekend and apart from me everyone is here for the event. Celebrity chef Pete Evans is a big star here and he, along with his colleague Gavin Baker, are going to make this a memorable weekend for foodies.

For those who arrived yesterday, the weekend kicked off with an evening reception welcoming Pete and Gavin to Kauri Cliffs. This morning, for those guests who have stayed last night there is the opportunity to learn from the TV chef and master, as Pete and Gavin conduct a one-hour cooking demonstration where they will chat to guests informally and impart some culinary secrets, and their infectious love of food and life.

Dinner this evening will begin with a pre-dinner tasting of a range of Neudorf wines before settling in for a fabulous dinner, prepared and hosted by the charming duo.

The menu at Kauri, when not a food event special, changes regularly and consists of three starters, three main course options, a tasting menu and of course dessert. The Argentine sommelier, Valeria suggests wines to accompany each course so it is foodie heaven even without the celeb chef!

I dined alone in the restaurant but or for the first time I enjoyed my table for one and did not feel uncomfortable. The team is young, friendly, dynamic and interested in their guests. Lukas, Sebastian, Susanne and Caterina are on the ball, they know exactly what they are serving (one would think this is a given, but sometimes I find that this is not the case), they work well together and are so welcoming that dinner was a very pleasurable experience. Aware of the increasing hold of jet lag I am served swiftly and no-one bat's an eyelid as I leave the restaurant for the sanctuary of my bed.

This morning I wake up to a glorious sunrise enjoyed from the comfort of my bed, I breakfast on the terrace of the main lodge overlooking the golf course and contemplate the day ahead which starts with a scenic helicopter ride and... Well I will tell you all about it later ..