Real Journeys upgrading Walter Peak offering

PRESS RELEASE
12 September 2013

Real Journeys upgrading Walter Peak offering

Key tourism player Real Journeys is significantly upgrading its Walter Peak offering with the intention of making it a destination that “locals and tourists alike want to visit”, says Chief Executive Richard Lauder.

The upgrade will include a new gourmet BBQ menu, with localised matching wine list, and refurbishments across the facilities. Renowned restaurateurs Fleur Caulton and Josh Emett have consulted on the overall concept of the project.

Lauder says Real Journeys are focused on making Walter Peak a quality New Zealand dining experience and have hired a new executive chef, Justin Koen - previously of Queenstown’s Wai Waterfront Restaurant - to champion this.

“We want to make Walter Peak a place Queenstowners frequent because of the food and the setting, a place they rate highly enough to recommend to visitors as a ‘must do’,” says Lauder.

Lauder says the new menu will be in-place in November and that already people who visit Walter Peak may be surprised by some of the improvements to the buildings.

“The interior of the Colonel’s Homestead is starting to look refreshed and fantastic and the woolshed and gift shop have already been revamped,” says Lauder.

New Executive Chef Koen says that although there’s much to be done, with a new kitchen being installed and a menu to be worked through he’s really excited about the new offering in what is such an idyllic location.

“I’m excited about being able to breathe new life into something that is essentially great,” says Koen.

Lauder says that the upgrade has been planned for over 12 months and is in response to a growing market opportunity.

“On a local and domestic level this is about re-capturing people’s love of Walter Peak. From an international perspective it’s about delivering a high quality, authentic and distinctly New Zealand experience,” says Lauder.

Walter Peak will continue to be serviced daily by the 100 year-old vintage steamship the TSS Earnslaw.

ENDS

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