Well Stocked Deli official opening.
By Pauline Stewart,
You could say everyone was ‘stoked’ as in absolutely pleased to be present at the official opening of Well Stocked Deli in Albert Street, Whitianga last Wednesday 28 June, early evening.
True to form, Alex Samson, the owner and ‘chef’ of Well Stocked Deli, with her beautiful food products for us all, used the full space to host other business owners, entrepreneurs and friends with first class hospitality and fine food; all prepared from produce and products in her very well-stocked boutique delicatessen.
Everyone was offered many tastings of horsd’ouvres; Sabato Crostini with Smoked Salmon Pate, yellow peppers and Pakaraka Microgreens; Volare Baguette with Stoked Chicken Liver Pate and diced red peppers; Baked Dane Knaekbrod with Antipasto selection made by Well Stocked Deli; Herb & Spice Mill Black Pepper Peanuts; Cucumber slices with Elysian Taramasalata, Red Roe Caviar & Pakaraka Permaculture Rainbow Microgreens ( The Informer’s favourite savoury); plus samples of Meyer Fenugreek, Goatmilk, Cumin Goudas, Truffle Vega, Whitestone Lindis Pass Brie.
The drinks were just as full of variety and intense taste - bubbles with Wild Hibiscus Flowers in syrup and Herb and Spices Mulled wine, Wild Fermentary Kefir Sodas and CocoCoast flavoured Natural Coconut waters.
“Speciality, gourmet and artisan foods are definitely my passion and sourcing and representing small artisan producers gives me great pleasure. Watching customers find something they have seen or tried before is the icing on the cake,” says Alex beaming with a tray of canapes on offer as we talked.
There were many local products on display that one could purchase - Opito Bay Salt, cured meats, baguettes sour dough, local honey and local cheeses. However, Alex has wonderful sources in other parts of New Zealand and overseas due to her many culinary achievements and so Well-Stocked Deli has an amazing array of Italian, Greek and Turkish foods. The balance of fresh produce and packaged foods all displayed make the delicatessen a very colourful and inviting space.
Following the savoury offering came the mini- desserts, a selection of Little Late gelatos, Herb and Spice Mill Chocolate Mousse with orange zest and some Bramble and Hedge specialty nougats.
(The Informers favourite sweet snack available in a packet at Well Stocked Deli is raspberry and walnut brittle).
Alex reflected,” It really feels like I have come 360 with my love of good food.
After spending ten years Super yachting around the world, I arrived in New Zealand to set up Possum Provisions Fine Food Provedoring and KiwiCrew Ltd Yacht Crew Recruitment Services in Auckland for The America’s Cup celebrations in 2000 and 2003. The art of food and fine wines became my new world. Meeting Mark and having our daughters then saw me step into the world of volunteering in Whitianga wherever our daughters went. Establishing Nurturing Young Minds Foundation with Paul Blackman in 2017 was a highlight of my volunteering years, supporting local youth achieve their passions alongside Paul’s Wordsmart App.”
Alex is at home with Well Stocked Deli. She has so many plans for this business and for mercury bays specialty food hospitality industry.
“We offer gift vouchers, gift hampers, cheese and charcuterie boards to go; lunch items such as pasties, pork pies, scotch eggs, savoury quiche and bakes.
We are also well situated next to Whiti Fine Wines, complimenting each other’s stores perfectly.
Speciality Cheese Toasties using our Volare sourdough breads and a selection of the best New Zealand and European cheeses will be on sale in store on arrival of our new display chiller later in the week.”
Well Stocked Deli is a family owned and operated business that husband, Mark and daughters, Tinca and Kizzy all work in. It is a family business powered by family effort.
Caption: The Samson family, owners of Well Stocked Deli, Whitianga. From left: Tinca, Alex, Mark and Kizzy.