Waikato Food Show 2026 Wrap-up

Last weekend we packed up the van and headed to Claudelands for the Waikato Food Show, and what a weekend it was! We were proud to once again sponsor the Volare Masterclass Hub, giving food lovers the chance to get hands-on with some proper baking. Our team ran two popular sessions across the weekend:

• A Crème Pâtissière masterclass where participants learned to make a silky, vanilla-rich custard from scratch and got to fill their very own Volare doughnut to take home.
  
• And No-Knead Bread demonstration with Founder and Had Baker Ryan in the Heathcotes Cooking Theatre, full of tips, live Q&A, and plenty of laughs.

It was fantastic to see so many people rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in.

Our retail team was also on the ground serving up plenty of Volare favourites alongside hot cups of Ozone coffee a big thanks to the Ozone crew for keeping everyone fuelled throughout the show.

We were in excellent company too, surrounded by so many talented local producers and makers we’re lucky to work with. Special mentions to Kaimai Eggs (who supply every egg we use in the bakery), Opito Bay Salt Co, Meyer Cheese, and Good Bugs, it’s was great to chat with you and share our love for quality, local ingredients.

On a side note, earlier this year, we were stoked to take home Best Local Hospitality Product of the Year at the Waikato NZ Hospo Awards. It was another proud milestone and a special recognition of the region and food community we're proud to be part of.

A huge thank you to the organisers for putting on another brilliant show, and to everyone who stopped by the stand, joined a masterclass, or simply came along for a good feed and a chat. We loved seeing so many familiar faces and meeting plenty of new ones.

Already looking forward to next year!