New food concept bringing people together with barbecue

The Barbecue Hut is nestled in downtown Mangawhai Village and positioned to set local food options on fire. Owner-operators Jeannie ‘Jea’ Davis and Kerren ‘Kezza’ Packer had a dream to create a local food outlet that is a perfect mix of cafe style food, great coffee and a menu that included wholesome kiwi-style low 'n slow barbecue.

Formally trading as Little Eats, the foodie duo saw an opportunity to build on the solid foundations that were already in place and expand the already fabulous home-styled and well patronised menu to include their own passion for low 'n slow barbecue. The mantra with The Barbecue Hut is best summed up with ‘same-same-but-different’.

Quality Kokako coffee your way, gourmet sandwiches and bagels, freshly made scones, sweet treats, locally sourced pies, savouries, and an array of gluten free and keto options feature on the day-to-day menu with succulent low 'n slow pulled pork and apple slaw buns, smoked beef and tangy slaw sandos, smoked pork ribs and chicken wings making regular appearances to tempt your taste buds even further.

Also on offer will be whole cuts of barbecue goodness (brisket, pork shoulders, ribs, charcoal spatchcock chickens etc) and sides by pre-order and for collection on Friday evenings – the ideal option for holiday-makers, weekend residents or locals having get-togethers.

“After all of the years of cooking barbecue for large groups of friends and for family functions, the feedback from our guests was that we should open our own local restaurant. It was more or less a pipe dream until we saw that Little Eats was for sale, which is literally just 150 metres from our front gate in Mangawhai Village, we just had to take those comments and run with it!" says Jea.

Adds Kezza: "I have been cooking low 'n slow barbecue for several decades now, and love the flavour profiles that comes from the perfect balance of quality meats, rubs, a lick of smoke and the time taken to break down what is traditionally tough proteins into succulent and tasty offerings.

"Barbecue is more than just food, it is about bringing people together and it's about community and we are stoked to be able to bring this style of food to Mangawhai.”

Jea and Kezza are also the organisers of the Mangawhai Tavern Barbecue Festival, which is on Sunday December 11. The wider community are invited to come to the Tavern and enjoy a day to celebrate barbecue. New Zealand's top barbecue teams will be battling it out, there will be demonstrations, markets, live music, a low 'n slow menu takeover and plenty of drink specials to keep you hydrated. To find more details visit the Mangawhai Tavern Barbecue Festival Facebook page.

The official Barbecue Hut rebranding and grand opening will be on the Saturday of Labour Weekend, so be sure to call in and sample some barbecue treats on the house.

n The Barbecue Hut is located at 1a Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Village, next door to The Village Wines. Check The Barbecue Hut on Facebook (@thebbqhut) for opening hours and specials. Or email events@barbecuelife.co.nz

After years of cooking barbecue for friends and family functions, the feedback was Jea and Kezza should open their own local restaurant. So they are. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Kez and Jea are bringing kiwi-style low 'n slow barbecue food to Mangawhai. PHOTO/SUPPLIED