Known widely in New Zealand for his Dilmah catch cry "do try it...", Merrill J Fernando was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary passion and commitment to tea and his unique philosophy of making business as a matter of human service at WorldChefs Congress 2018.

The Sri Lankan tea pioneer was saluted for his commitment to tea, especially the harsh early years when he fought for value addition at source and against the colonial economic system that saw his country's prized crop sold as a commodity at auction in London.

When his brand Dilmah (named after his sons Dilhan and Malik) was born in 1988, it was a victory for farmers around the world as it was the first time that tea, coffee or cocoa was available that had been grown, picked, packed and branded at source by a farmer.

Merrill J Fernando points out that a farmer's desire is for quality and that's fundamentally different to the objective of a trader, who buys and sells tea purely for profit from and to any source in any market.

Fernando's commitment to family values and their embodiment in his brand through the philosophy of making business a matter of human service. That principle requires each of the Dilmah Tea, plantation, packaging and ancillary businesses to contribute a minimum 10% of their pre-tax profits to the Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation (www.mjffoundation.org).

The Foundation utilises these funds to empower youth, and women in difficult economic and social circumstances, children with special needs, communities that are economically marginalised, and the environment. Among the outcomes of the Dilmah philosophy is the Empower Culinary School, a WorldChefs' approved training school that offers culinary training free of charge to young women and men who are economically, socially or otherwise disadvantaged.

Those that have benefited from the Empower School include youth with Cerebral Palsy and Down syndrome. Several New Zealand chefs have travelled to Sri Lanka to help teach these young people.

A second Empower Culinary & Hospitality School will open in August this year at the MJF Centre East. It is the largest privately funded charitable initiative in Sri Lanka, which is designed to serve differently abled children, youth, women and economically disadvantaged communities through the principle of empowerment with dignity.

Moore Wilson’s has stocked Dilmah tea since it launched in New Zealand and have met Merrill and his sons on a number on occasions. Dilmah was the original supplier for Moore Wilson’s tea and teabags and we continue to source tea from them.

From Cambridgeshire, to Australia to Horowhenua, Daniel Todd’s journey to becoming a free-range pig farmer has been far from traditional. Seventeen years at an electronics firm saw him develop a curiosity for pig farming – in particular, the ethical farming of rare pig breeds.

Born in Peterborough in the UK, in 1974, Todd moved to Australia in 2015 where he met his partner Claire, who originally hailed from Palmerston North. The stars aligned – Claire wanted to move back to New Zealand to be closer to her family, and Daniel had become bored with his job. "It was no longer challenging or rewarding." he said. "I thought a change would be good." It was no small change. Daniel started his professional life with a degree in history and working for a consumer electronics company, managing the buying and business strategy, while Claire completed a law degree and worked for the likes of Yahoo and ABC.
Neither of them had any experience in pig farming, but that wasn't about to put Daniel off. He attended a short course on pig farming in Australia but is primarily self-taught, relying on books, podcasts and YouTube. "Pig farming was something that I had become interested in when I realised how horrific the pig farming industry had become," he said. "Not only did free range pig farming give me the chance to make a difference in a world that seemed to care less and less about animal husbandry but also it met with my business acumen requirements industry with greater demand than supply."

Woody's Farm (named after the family dog) is located at the base of the Tararua Range in Horowhenua – an hour from Wellington and 45 minutes from Palmerston North. In 2017 Woody's Farm opened its own butchery and factory in Levin, just a ten-minute drive from the farm. Part of the appeal of Woody's is the story behind the product, which is becoming increasingly important as consumers become more aware of what they're eating. "It's important for the consumer to be interested in our philosophy," Todd explained. "We want consumers to really understand what free range is and not just accept it when they are told meat is free range. In New Zealand only one percent of pig farming is free range so if the supplier can’t tell you the name of the farm, then without a doubt it is not free range."

Additionally, 'free range products from outside New Zealand (particularly imported from Denmark) is actually 'free farmed', which can be misleading for consumers. "All we ask is that retailers only promote the truth," he said. "It’s not acceptable to have a big sign saying ‘Free Range' when half the products are free farmed or intensive. We understand that
free-range farms in New Zealand can’t supply the full demand for the product and consumers can’t always afford the price of free-range, but the choices should be clear."

The breed of pig is essential in maintaining free range. Pigs that are going to be outside all year round need to be capable of dealing with the weather. "Heritage breed pigs are closer in genetics to the original breeds of pigs and as such have traits more suitable for
free-ranging." explained Todd. "In particular our breeds, Large Black and Berkshire, are black and as such are less susceptible to sunburn and any related diseases." However, these breeds are much slower to grow, and fat and muscle levels can be hard to maintain.

A crucial part of the Woody’s story is provenance, one which appeals to consumers countrywide. "We are all about transparency and provenance of the meat we produce and sell. We believe that you should know the farm from which your meat comes if you really care about what you are eating. Animals need to live a pleasant, healthy life in order for the product to be healthy." Woody's products are currently stocked in Moore Wilson's and Farro Fresh, with more to follow soon. Woody's products are also found in restaurants all over the country such as Orphans Kitchen and Noble Rot Wine Bar.

Todd is always looking at expansion - the recently opened butchery and factory is a testament to that. The increased capability which comes with the factory means that Woody's now offers a full range of charcuterie and salami. "We are also working on various new sausage flavors, some of which are being made exclusively for various customers," he said. "Later this year we will start to bring in other meats from our farm and sister farms such as goat and beef. We're all about experimenting and love to try new things."

You can find a wide range of Woody’s Free Range Farm’s products at Moore Wilson’s. Find a variety of natural and flavoured mince, sausages and bacons in our chillers.

When Reid+Reid co-founders, brothers Chris and Stew Reid took a trip through Scotland in 2013, they were somewhat enthralled by the thriving craft distilling market. This appreciation turned into a business idea a few drams later (as is so often the case with budding ginsmiths), when the duo decided it was time to take some of that buzz back to New Zealand.

Of course – up in Scotland they were supping on whisky, but gin stood out to them as something that could excite their fellow Kiwis. “What we love about gin is its versatility: as far as spirits go, gin can lend itself to a wide range of styles, and it manages a good balance between traditional and modern. This gives rise to plenty of opportunity to experiment, which we find exciting,” Stew explained. “And we’re both big gin drinkers, so we knew we’d have at least two customers.”

The idea didn’t come to much of anything until Chris returned to New Zealand in 2014, wherein he began working on distillery premises. While this was happening – and from opposite sides of the world – the brothers began to work on the recipe for Reid+Reid Gin, exchanging and trialling recipes created on small home stills.  With their backgrounds in engineering and wine making, Stew and Chris set up Reid+Reid to challenge the perception of a ‘classic’ gin and promote New Zealand's unique natural flora. The result: Reid+Reid, New Zealand native gin.

Reid Brothers Distilling is located on the Reid family vineyard in Martinborough. Chris’ wine making background played a huge part in shaping the flavour of Reid+Reid Gin: “The concept of a product with a ‘sense of place’ is ingrained in his outlook, and we’ve sought to apply this in creating a uniquely Kiwi gin. We felt we could offer the world something different by releasing a gin that not only uses, but highlights, native New Zealand botanicals.”

The very first batch of Reid+Reid Native was released in late 2015 with the pair adding a Martinborough Pinot Noir Barrel Aged version in in late 2017. Reid + Reid can be found around the world from Australia to the UK and Japan.

You can find Reid+Reid products in store and online at moorewilsons.co.nz

Bring Burger Wellington to your home kitchen with this succulent venison burger by Chef Shaun Clouston from Grill Meats Beer.

The wonderful writer and cartoonist Tom Scott once wrote, "if the Buena Vista Social Club and a Mississippi Paddle steamer ever had children it would look like the Havana Coffee Works Factory! Their glorious avocado coloured building on upper Tory St is at the heart of Wellingtons love affair with coffee. This building is where the creative caffeine visionary company roasts its potions for the people today."

Havana Coffee Works was established in 1989 in Cuba St, driven by a desire to roast coffee better and cleaner than what was then available. Pioneering their own hot air roaster designs that were electric and not gas, Havana Coffee quickly got its own following of loyal caffeine addicts and co-founder Geoff Marsland gave their coffee the slogan COFFEEUFEEL.

Now over 30 years on, Havana Coffee Works is still Wellingtons loveable wild child and a nationally known brand roasting delicious coffees with clean hot air. In 2017 they made the bold move to roast on the world’s most environmentally sustainable hot air Loring Roaster. Always a trailblazer in the industry, since the beginning they have used biodegradable and compostable packaging wherever possible and they ensure social inequalities are addressed through the business practices of Fairtrade and their own brand REALTRADE.

Havana’s Real Trade relationships are strong and long standing. They make sure the people who grow their coffee get a bigger share of the price paid. This includes regular visits to origin, ongoing mentoring and pre-financing growers during the harvest. Havana’s Real Trade relationships pay premium prices in recognition of the coffee growers and the importance of the coffee industry to the many struggling economies where coffee is grown. Real Trade prices paid are over and beyond Fairtrade.

Havana has close relationships with both their growers and customers. The new generation of coffee drinkers want to know where their coffee comes from and the Havana Coffee Works factory has an open door policy to show the magic in what they do. As well as their sustainability and education practices they also have a fun and creative culture for their staff to work in.

Havana Coffee Works roasts with love around 12 different origins and has created 7 of their own unique blends. You can buy 4 of their blends and their straight Cuban origin at Moore Wilson's in both retail and food service packs, which can be ground to order in Moore Wilson's Fresh. Havana Coffee is very popular and is one of the brands available for customers to enjoy in a barista made coffee in the Fresh area.

Moore Wilson's has a range of delicious Havana Coffees to take home.

Following are some of the staples of Middle Eastern cuisine that you'll find at Moore Wilson's Fresh:

Bulgur Wheat A roughly ground wheat grain commonly used in tabbouleh (a grain salad with pomegranate seeds and herbs) and kibbeh (little stuffed croquettes).

Chickpeas The main ingredient in houmous, chickpeas are also really common in Middle Eastern salads and stews.

Za’atar This earthy dried herb mix is often served with bread and olive oil before meals, or as a seasoning for meat and fish. Fresh and punchy.

Sumac Tangy, fresh and packed with citrus flavour, sumac is often used in salad dressings or dips for a bit of added zing!

Ras-El-Hanout A precious, potent Moroccan blend of up to 30 spices; each merchant has his own unique blend.

Harissa A Tunisian hot chili pepper paste that is as complex as it is spicy, with hints of garlic and cumin. Spread it on sandwiches, mixes it into yogurt, and drizzle harissa oil over fried olives.

Cumin Some say this spice “makes everything Middle Eastern”. Pungent, earthy, and unmistakable.

Turmeric  Fresh turmeric has a spicy bite and deeply orange flesh.

Pistachios One of the jewels of Middle Eastern cuisine, bright green pistachios are delicious toasted and scattered over salads, or baked in classic desserts such as baklava. 

Pomegranate Molasses Rich and sticky pomegranate molasses works brilliantly in sweet or savoury dishes. It has a lovely bitterness to it, and pairs well with stronger flavours such as mackerel and fennel.

Labneh You can strain plain yoghurt to make your own labneh – a soft cheese. It’s delicious spread on toast, or served with an omelette.

Dates Nature’s candy, dates are delicious with a cup of sweet tea. They’re also brilliant for sweetening spiced milkshakes, or as petit fours.

Preserved Lemon Luxuriously soft lemons that, even whole, melt in your mouth. They are bright and yellow and satisfyingly salty. Used in many savoury dishes.

Kataif  Thinly shredded filo dough, and while it doesn't taste like much on its own, it's a great source of crunchiness and texture.

Tahini Used in dressings, sauces, dips, even baked into flatbreads and cakes, nutty, rich sesame-seed paste is essential to Middle Eastern cuisine. Look for tahini that is smooth and light in colour. The natural oil will rise to the top; stir to incorporate before using.

Rose and Orange Flower Water These fragrant waters are distilled from the Damascus rose and the Seville orange tree, respectively. An essential ingredient in many Middle Eastern desserts and Turkish Delight.