[Sam B]

First experience of NZ supermarket today - Countdown in Rotorua. It had everything we wanted except measly selection of pasta. Was yearning for all the Sainsburies special selection range. Which supermarket is the most up-market "Waitrose" style (if any)? They all look like Aldi types from outside. Which has the best range of pasta? If none, then is there anywhere in waikato that I can get good range of pasta? Don't laugh!

[Sue]

no idea about the pasta requirements, can tell you that I found foodtown to carry more of a wide range of stuff - besides they have an international isle and I have managed to find lots of things there from my country at reasonably decent prices.

[Moorf]

I find New World and Woolworths are best for more European items. Otherwise you certainly find good deli's and specialist shops in the larger cities.

Here's a list of the online Woolworth's pasta offerings... no orecchiette mentioned but still a comprehensive range for a supermarket here.... (edit: list won't show but go to www.woolworths.co.nz and have a browse.

[gil]

We've bought the ones from Countdown (actaully my fave supermarket here) and they are fine; there is a specialist Italian Deli on the Whitford Raod out towards Maraetai here http://www.fourcorners.co.nz/new-zealand/product/index.cfm?productID=34726 there's a contact link button this page, might be worth an enquiry.


I think I spotted an Italian deli in Auckland in an arcade off Queen Street too so I guess there must be good suppliers around....

Good luck, Gil

PS Ever made your own?

[Moorf]

If I could easily find pasta flour here (00) then I'd continue making mine but the majors don't seem to carry it down here... unless someone can tell me where to find it in Chch (not the Tuam Italian deli - it's too much hassle to get there!).

[Tia Maria]

Sadly no Waitrose style supermarket that I've found.

But its worth mentioning that different branches of the same shop can vary greatly in the products they stock.

For instance the New World in Ponsonby has a much bigger fresh meat counter and sandwich section than the one in Devonport. Also it stocks children's bubble bath, which the one in Devonport doesn't etc etc

Also the products online with Woolworths/Countdown vary from what you can actually get in the Woolworths/Countdown shops. The other day I couldn't buy apples online, it wasn't that they had run out, the entire section had disappeared.

Cheers

Tia

[Sam B]

Thanks everyone - found orecchiete in New World today - at least it was called orecchiete, but it wasn't! It was quite different to the stuff from Sainsburies.

No Gil I haven't made my own. I watched Jamie Oliver struggling to make it on the programme where he travelled round Italy and I figure if he struggled, then I definitely would!!

Still, we'll have a go at the recipe using the NZ version of orecchiete tonight and see how it goes. This is the first meal we've cooked since arriving - we've been in holiday mode, eating out all the time. Quite looking forward to eating one of our favourite meals.

[Sam B]

Just had a proper look round Cambridge and there were TWO specialist food shops selling proper Italian orrecchiete and loads of other stuff we like. Feel happy.

[Moorf]

:nice1..