A Taste of Home
Summer in Aotearoa means BBQs, sizzling meats, fresh seafood, and long evenings spent around the grill with friends and whānau. But why stick to the same old marinades and sauces when you can bring a uniquely Kiwi twist to your cooking?
Home-grown flavours like kawakawa, horopito, and mānuka can elevate your next BBQ from delicious to unforgettable. And with the right tools from Chef’s Complements, it’s easier than ever to infuse a little native magic and mana into every meal.
Kawakawa Marinades 🌱
Peppery, slightly herbal, and unmistakably Kiwi, kawakawa leaves are a classic native seasoning that brings a bold twist to marinades for chicken, fish, or even grilled veggies.
💡 Chef’s Tip: Kawakawa and seafood are a match made in heaven! Try it with snapper fillets, grilled prawns, or even mussels for a fresh coastal kick.
How to Use It:
- Blend it up: Combine kawakawa with garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice for a zesty, aromatic marinade.
- Pound it fresh: Use a mortar and pestle to gently crush the leaves and release their earthy, peppery oils — perfect for dressings, oils, or sauces.
Tools to Try from Chef’s Complements:
- Glass Storage Jars – Keep your homemade marinades fresh and fridge-ready with the Agee Queen Jar (available in 4 Sizes). A Kiwi classic that’s as practical as it is timeless.
Bring this distinct flavour to your summer table with Ironclad’s Kawakawa Chicken & Barley, a vibrant dish that balances tender chicken and nutty barley with the aromatic, peppery notes of kawakawa. Light yet satisfying, it’s perfect for relaxed alfresco dining with friends and whānau.
Horopito Spice Rubs🌶️
Known as the “bush pepper”, horopito brings a bold, spicy, and earthy kick: the perfect base for dry rubs on steak, lamb, or venison.
💡 Chef’s Tip: For maximum flavour, rub your meat at least 30 minutes before grilling to let those fiery notes truly sink in.
How to Use It:
- Mix it up: Combine ground horopito with sea salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika for a punchy, all-purpose spice rub.
- Add some heat: Sprinkle over grilled veggies or roast potatoes for a peppery, native twist.
Tools to Try from Chef’s Complements:
- Spice Grinders – Grind dried horopito leaves to unlock their full aroma. The new CrushGrind Bergen Spice Mills come in summery pastel hues like Yellow, Sand, and Lilac, perfect for brightening your backyard tablescape.
Taste It Today:
Celebrate local flavour with Hunt & Gather’s Horopito Spice Mix Medium Grinder (20cm) and Horopito Mustard (120g): perfect pantry staples for your next BBQ. Or give a summer classic a Kiwi twist with Nanric Road Sundried Tomatoes with Horopito (210g).
Smoked Manuka Chips 🌳
Nothing says Kiwi BBQ quite like the rich, smoky sweetness of mānuka. These native wood chips infuse your food with a depth of flavour that’s earthy, aromatic, and unmistakably New Zealand.
💡 Chef’s Tip: Soak your mānuka chips in water, cider, or even beer before adding them to the grill. The added moisture creates a slower burn and deeper, more complex smoke.
How to Use It:
- Add to your grill: Toss soaked mānuka chips onto charcoal or into a smoker box for a full-bodied, aromatic smoke.
- Pair it perfectly: Mānuka smoke complements salmon, crayfish, and even vegetables, adding a beautifully natural, earthy edge.
Tools to Try from Chef’s Complements:
- Smoker Boxes & BBQ Accessories – Keep your mānuka chips contained and your grill clean. The NZ-made DISSCO Large Fish Smoker (42x28cm) is crafted from quality, lightweight stainless steel and comes complete with assembly instructions, filleting guides, recipes, and handy tips. Or step it up with the sleek Zwilling Plus 4-Piece Smoker Set — a versatile, all-in-one solution perfect for smoking fish, meats, and veggies right in your kitchen. For easy flipping, the Dreamfarm BBQ Chopula has a large, flexible head that slides effortlessly under fish, burgers, and steaks.
Ready to take your smoking game to the next level? Check out Smokai — the New Zealand-based brand revolutionising backyard smoking. Their world-renowned smoke generators are available right here at Chef’s Complements, from the trusty Classic (1L) to the powerhouse Magnum (3L). Pair either with Smokai Premium Mānuka Woodchip (1.5KG) for a quintessentially Kiwi setup that brings true smokehouse flavour to your home grill.
Finishing Touches 🍴
Because the perfect feast deserves to be served in style.
- Wooden Serving Boards & Platters – Showcase your smoky meats, vibrant salads, and fresh-off-the-grill creations in true Kiwi style. Celebrate local craftsmanship with stunning serveware from Stim – a small, family-owned business based in the heart of Hawke’s Bay. Each piece is handcrafted from reclaimed wine barrels and native timbers, transforming recycled materials into timeless centrepieces. Discover favourites like the Barrelhead Lazy Susan, Rimless Platter, and the Chef’s Complements x Stim Brisket Board (available in two sizes). Every board tells its own story, showcasing the perfectly imperfect beauty of nature.
Fire Up the Flavours of Aotearoa 🌞
This summer, take your BBQ beyond the basics. With kawakawa marinades, horopito rubs, and smoky mānuka chips, you’ll create flavours that are unmistakably Kiwi. And with premium chef tools from Chef’s Complements, you’ll have everything you need to prep, cook, and serve like a pro.
So fire up the grill, gather the whānau, and let native flavours take centre stage at your next summer BBQ.
