6 Recipes that will add the taste of The County to your Holiday Table
Want to add a taste of The County to your table this holiday season? Whether you’re looking for a starter, side, or dessert, the below recipes will allow you to experience the flavours of some of your favourite local restaurants from the comfort of home.
Starters & Light Bites
For every small holiday party, these classic starters will be sure to satisfy without overfilling your guests before the main event.

Image courtesy of La Condesa
Chef Samantha Valdiva’s Guacamole & Chips
La Condesa has brought their taste of Mexico to Wellington since 2019, and their guacamole is truly the stuff of legend. Mix it up this holiday season by serving everyone’s favourite creamy and tangy green dip.
Download La Condesa’s Guacamole & Chips Recipe

Image by Chloe Tremblay
Sand & Pearl’s Festive Shrimp Ring
Is it even the holidays without a shrimp ring? Serve your guests an elevated twist on a classic with this recipe from Sand & Pearl. The shrimp poached in a court bouillon will teach you new techniques, and the homemade cocktail sauce recipe will have you wondering why you ever purchased this classic dipping sauce from the store.
Download Sand & Pearl’s Festive Shrimp Ring Recipe

Image courtesy of Bloomfield Public House Market
Bloomfield Public House Market’s Trout Rillettes
If you’re familiar with Bloomfield Public House Market, you know they have a daily selection of gourmet groceries as well as house-made delicacies to brighten up your daily meals. One of those house-made delicacies is their Trout Rillettes, a delicious spread that begins with a whole filet of confited trout. This dish makes a perfect starter for entertaining when served with crostini or crusty french bread.
Download Bloomfield Public House’s Trout Rillettes Recipe
Supporting Acts
Looking to mix it up with your sides this holiday season? These recipes for flavourful sides are sure to add a little County flair to your main course.

Image by Johnny CY Lam
Chef Hidde Zomer’s Ember Roasted Squash
If you’ve had the pleasure of dining at Flame + Smith, you’ll know that the much of the menu is cooked over an open flame, infusing dishes with a gentle flavour of smoke. This recipe from Chef Hidde Zomer allows you to take a classic winter veg and give it the Flame + Smith treatment from home.
Download Flame + Smith’s Ember Roasted Squash Recipe

Image courtesy of The Waring House
Chef Travis Mindle’s Holiday Stuffing
It is widely regarded that stuffing is one of the best parts of any holiday meal, that’s why Chef Travis Mindle of The Waring House cooks his stuffing outside of the turkey – so everyone can have more of their favourite dish!
Download Chef Travis Mindle’s Holiday Stuffing Recipe
Dessert Course
Sure, there’s plenty of sweets to go around during the holidays. But there’s nothing like a special dessert after a big feast.
Chef Guerin Sykes’ Holiday Grand Marnier Creme Brulee
Like the star on top of a tree, this delicate dessert recipe from The Marans will be the perfect thing to complete your holiday meal. Combining crowd favourite creme brulee with a classic after-dinner liqueur makes this the perfect not-too-sweet dessert you’ll have to try.
Download The Maran’s Holiday Grand Marnier Creme Brulee Recipe