As Brad and Emma and the team at The Falls Retreat adapted to the changes in hospitality wrought by COVID-19, it was also time for reflection. They have taken the time to re-evaluate The Falls Retreat experience, plan new dining concepts, develop new business ideas and work on ensuring that their business is sustainable. To create a long-term future for their family, their staff, customers and suppliers, by taking the time to do things better.
The peaceful haven Brad and Emma have created still offers a superlative dining experience, and their hospitality extends to accommodation, weddings and other special occasions. Add to this a growing calendar of gardening and cooking workshops, and the reasons to visit quickly multiply. Read on...
As you turn off the Karangahake Gorge road, over the one-way bridge, and up the steep drive through some very tall trees, you will be surprised at the number of people you will find at The Falls Retreat. It is out of the way, not the sort of place you stumble across, but the popularity of this rustic property means people have no trouble finding it.
What is it about this charming composition of quaint cottages, gardens, orchard and converted milking shed that has become one of the region’s most celebrated restaurants, and a significant destination in itself?
First and foremost, it's the dining experience The artistry created on the plate by owner and chef Brad King has gained a wide reputation for the terrific taste of the seasons and local produce. However, there is a lot more behind Brad’s simple claim that he prepares good honest food, from scratch.
He says the decision to become a chef came early, at 10 years old. After training and working in New Zealand Brad was cheffing in Australia when he met his future wife and business partner, Emma Walters, on her OE without end from northern England. When their son arrived, the two working parents decided to find a better way of life to enjoy their growing family.
Back in New Zealand, Brad and Emma invested everything in a property in the Karangahake Gorge; a couple of cottages and a run-down old café in the woods on a hill next to the stunning staircase Owharoa Falls. With Brad working locally to make ends meet, Emma wrote business plans and trawled second-hand stores for equipment. It took three years, and their dream was realised when Falls Retreat opened as a restaurant ten years ago.
In the beginning, diners did come by word of mouth, but that word soon spread beyond the local fan base. The opening of the Hauraki Rail Trail a year later helped guests find this hidden gem, and they came back in droves. In the months that followed, there may be more bicycles than cars parked under the trees. And while acclaim has flowed in from many quarters, the team at The Falls Retreat are not satisfied with their current achievements.
Early on, a kitchen garden and orchard were established to satisfy Brad’s demand for locally sourced seasonal produce and a local swap system, “barter at the bistro” expanded the range in exchange for coffee and dessert. In the next step, accomplished organic gardener Nicki Murray-Orr moved from waitressing to further developing the property and also workshops on sustainable gardening techniques. Composting and worm farming, growing organic vegetables from seed soon expanded to cooking workshops as well. If you’ve ever wanted to learn the secrets of fermentation in kombucha and kimchi, how to make pasta or the perfect pickles, the team are happy to impart their tips. Brad likes to cook from scratch, remember, so he knows the tricks. A small onsite shop stocks some of the signature condiments and treats.
The two cottages have been refurbished with care and charm, perfect for a restorative getaway. The Waterfall Cabin affords guests a romantic peek of the Owharoa Falls from the mezzanine floor queen bed and a signature hamper adds the final touch. The recent addition of the two-bedroomed Log Cabin offers a more expansive family option. That romantic feeling and the luxury of complete privacy are good reasons why The Falls Retreat is a popular wedding venue. And the food, of course. Your in-house dining menu means you can enjoy a delicious restaurant meal delivered room-service style by the chef if the bistro is not open.
The restaurant is no longer open daily, so plan your visit and book (yes, you must) depending on the experience you are after. The Long Table Feast on Fridays and Saturdays offers a rustic shared dining experience for a relaxed long lunch or dinner. All the food is still made from scratch and focuses on the paddock-to-plate ethos.
Locals night is on every Sunday over the summer months. This means wood fired pizzas, chips and organic garden salad served from 4pm -8pm in our beautiful setting with our friends The Sauna Project also on site. End your weekend the right way
The Falls Retreat also caters for functions, group bookings and weddings and the calendar of events is growing as the vision evolves. The Falls Retreat delivers big on its promise of warm hospitality and great food, every step of the way.
