MEET YOUR {OUTSTANDING} MAKER - AUGUSTINE'S OF CENTRAL

Wanaka chef Gus Hayden has revived the age-old art with preserving giving Central Otago summer’s bounty a modern twist. He tells the story about the produce he sells under Augustines brand.

“In 2012 I first tried tree-ripened apricots from a spray-free orchard. They were like no other apricots I had ever tasted, so I set about learning the art of preserving to capture the unique flavour of apricots ripened by the Central Otago summer sun.

Over the next three years, I perfected my preserving skills and recipes. To find out if I was on the right track, in 2013 I entered the Upper Clutha A&P Show and won Best Fruit Jam’ and then went on to win the title again in 2014.

Living in Wanaka working as a chef and cooking with the seasons you appreciate how special local, seasonal produce is. So, after teaching myself to preserve the summer fruits and vegetables for use in the winter months (when produce prices triple) I noticed the opportunity to sell quality, preserved fruit.

I started by preserving apricots – because in my opinion apricots are the king of fruit! Apricots inherent honeyed and tart characters are a complimentary flavour for both sweet and savoury dishes. With the success of this Augustine’s Preserved Sundrop Apricots in a Riesling Syrup, I branched out into jams, quince paste and most recently plums in pinot syrup.

I source all my fruit from small private growers who are spray-free and passionate about what they do. Augustine’s really is a boutique product, every jar is bottled by me personally using traditional preserving methods where all I use is a knife, wooden spoon, pot and oven. There’s no fancy chefs tools such as sous vide machines or thermomixers – I preserve using time-honoured traditional techniques.

I intend to keep using traditional preserving methods no matter what size the company grows to, I believe its important to keep these practices alive in a world of mass-produced and convenience food.

 I have branched out, now making eight other products that naturally suit the Central Otago area. Two of these are the Quince Paste and a the kiwi take on the classic ‘Quince and Feijoa Paste’. The recent closure of Roxdale Canning Company in Roxburgh left New Zealand without any locally preserved apricots, so Augustines hopes to one day fill this hole in the market.

 Being tongue in cheek, I’d say coffee keeps me going. But in all seriousness I’m kept going by the satisfaction of watching Augustine’s grow organically each year by adding new products and new customers. I love receiving feedback from people saying how my apricots remind them of their childhood.

 Keeping the kiwi tradition of preserving alive is very important to me. My aim is to ensure all New Zealanders can enjoy my products with authentic Central Otago flavour.”

 A selection of Augustines of Central Otago product is sold at; Farro, Florence’s Food Store in Wanaka, Fedeli in Wanaka, Cardrona Valley General Store, Provisions of Arrowtown, Moore Wilsons, Harvey Street Merchant in Waitati and Capers in Rotorua.