Lamb Country Festival well worth trip

I am embarrassed to admit that, in all the months I have been doing this column, I hadn't made the short, scenic journey to central Hawke's Bay to check out some of the wonderful food and wine on offer there.
It took an invitation from the organisers of this year's inaugural Lamb Country Festival for me to finally make the journey.
I had been tipped off about the wonderful Misty River café in Waipawa and stopped there first. It is an institution and not only for the locals. Owner Julie White says regular customers are from Havelock North, Napier, Taupo and even Wellington coming in for some Kiwi home cooking at its best.
Julie entered the business by accident: After agreeing to help a friend who was trying to turn Misty River around, she ended up buying it herself. She runs it with son Chris, who whips up wonderful coffee and looks after the front of house.
Julie cooks everything from scratch. Meals include chicken curries, lamb risoni, seafood mornay and a great selection of breakfasts.
Testament to Julie's skills in the kitchen and her hospitality is the visitors' book, filled with lavish praise from happy customers from all corners of the globe.
The tradition started after people started leaving notes of appreciation on their scraped-clean plates: Now it has morphed into pages and pages of entertaining reading.
I will be going back for the caramel slice which was slightly too early in the morning to indulge in (is that possible? I hear you ask) as well as the legendary carrot cake which Julie has been told is the best in the country.
On to my final destination, Waipukurau - and an insight into events planned for the first ever Lamb Country Festival. It is being organised by Carol-Ann Stubbs and Christine Shanahan and is an extension of the annual arts festival. This year it will be held for four days from September 8-11, the opening days of the Rugby World Cup.
The celebration of arts and crafts will be at Pukeora Estate and open daily from 10am to 4pm. The estate is on one of the most stunning vantage points in Hawke's Bay, with spectacular views across the farmlands.
The event will showcase New Zealand arts and crafts, music, wine and food - with plenty of activities for the kids, too.
There will be two big nights out: A performance from the Topp Twins on Friday, September 9 and the following night, the hilariously named Mutton Dressed As Lamb Ball. I can hardly wait for that and am already enthusiastically planning my outfit.
Men and women are encouraged to dress up and anyone seeking inspiration need look no further than the glorious Cheryl West on Outrageous Fortune. Also on that weekend is the great Chilli Lamb Cook Off, sponsored by Orcona Chillies, where local chefs and wannabe chefs can test out their skills by whipping up a fiery concoction with lamb (I have it from a good source that some are already practising).
The following weekend the town will be taken over for Running With The Lambs, with more than 1000 lambs flocking to Waipukurau's main street.
It's also a chance to see shearing demonstrations, sheep dog trials, pet lamb competitions, taste a selection of lamb dishes and ... wait, it gets better ... the crowning of "Miss Lamb Country" and "Mr Lamb Chops".
That weekend will include the Paddock and Plate tours, giving those like me, unfamiliar with the region, a real insight into this wonderful part of New Zealand.
Buses will take festival-goers to local homesteads including Gwavas, Wallingford, Chapelwick and Oruawharo.
You can also have a go at shearing and wool spinning or, if you are feeling a little less energetic, sample some Central Hawke's Bay wine and enjoy lamb and high-noon teas colonial style.
I visited the stunning Oruawharo homestead and sampled its tea of light and fluffy scones with homemade jam, delicate sandwiches and wonderful baking.
Peter and Dianne Harris bought the homestead 10 years ago, looking for a "retirement folly" from Auckland.
It has become a labour of love as they have painstakingly restored this piece of central Hawke's Bay history.
You can make a high-tea booking and visit the homestead any time. It is a must in particular for tea lovers: There are imported herbal and specially blended black teas from Germany, served overlooking the stunning gardens ... bliss.
Nearby is the Taniwha Sculpture in the Daffodils, where about 30 local artists will display sculptures among the fields of daffodils. It will be open all of September.
Topping off my Central Hawke's Bay experience, I visited the Oak Room restaurant (part of Waipuk's Rosie O'Grady's pub) for one of chef Thorsten's signature lamb dishes.
The Oak Room has been open for only six months but has quickly gained a reputation for serving high-quality local and seasonal food, with a wine list heavily focused on local wines including Lime Rock, Pukeora Estate, Junction wines and Tukipo River Eststae.
I had a Lime Rock Sauvignon Blanc with my lamb and it was delicious.
Thorsten's lamb loin served with kumara and poppyseed mash and a honey and rosemary drizzle was delicious.
Make sure you try it at home.
I am on the lookout for any winter deals or specials offered by local restaurants, café and wineries. Email hbfinest@gmail.com