Father's Day ideas

A bloke, cooking.

The Sawmill refillable flagon, available (and refillable) at Sawmill and the Vintry.

Matakana Smokehouse salmon at the Farmers Markets.

Dads. How great are they? They bring home the bacon (mostly), sort out that lawnmower (sometimes), go nuts on the football sidelines (usually) and they crack really bad jokes. What's not to love? Sadly, Father's Day has many dutiful offspring - and wives - scratching their heads for a gift. Why are they so hard to buy for? 

Well, in fact it's easy really - it's got to be food related, since we all know that the way a dad's heart is through his wee tummy.

Our first idea (and yes, we're quite passionate about this) is a TGW bloke's cooking class voucher! Our industrial steel kitchen will have your dad feeling like he's in the ultimate man-cave. TGW chef Mark will bring forth a prize-winning meal from him that he never knew he could produce. Four hours will fly by as the group discusses the menu, cooks and then sits down to eat in the fresh new TGW dining room. Only $140 for skills that will endure - this is an added bonus for mums as well, of course. Get a group together!

Next on the list for the dad who has everything is a refillable glass beer flagon. These are now the must-have accessory for any bloke - they're funky, sustainable and look uber-cool. Lucky for us, the Sawmill Brewery does a fab one - and there are two sizes: the Growler and the Squealer. Just take your flagon to either the Sawmill Brewery or the Vintry (or Jervois Cellars if you're in Auckland) to get it refilled with a generous amount of an icy cold beer of your choice. 

Finally - an obvious one for Matakana-ites - but this is also those from further afield who are visiting: a trip to the Matakana Farmer's Market on Saturday to choose a bespoke basket of mouth-watering goodies for the dad in your life. Choose from Whangaripo buffalo cheeses, smoked salmon, Italian sausages, oysters, nut butters, chutneys and pies. You'll even be able to buy the basket or stylish vintage wooden box to put it all in! Some French pastries for brekky in bed and you're 'set like a jelly' - as my Dad used to say.