Moore Wilson, Wellington, New Zealand

Things that make you go awww........

Just as this photogenic pug made me melt into a smile, so did the picture perfect food that awaited me at Moore Wilson.

It was my final day in Wellington and after joining a tour of the Harbourside Market, I'd zipped over to the fancy new City Market. There was not a moment to waste as I kept an eye on my watch and walked the couple of blocks up to Moore Wilson for their special Wellington on a Plate event, Wellington Food Heroes Day.



I love the idea of hosting a Food Heroes Day. Congregating in the car park of Moore Wilson, the event was designed as a way to meet the people behind several of the store's Wellington-based. It was a casual market-style set-up with tastings, displays and food for sale. Mostly I basked in the convivial atmosphere and the lovely sense of recognition and appreciation extended to this community of local "heroes".


Double bass player in the jazz quartet


Grilled haloumi sandwich from Zany Zeus


Opaki manchego cheese


Fresh roti proving


Roti chanai from Rempah


Duck and pork cassoulet from Laurent Loudeac

Yes, it seems the head chef from Hippopotamus Restaurant has his own range of products as well.


Snail kebabs with garlic butter from Laurent Loudeac


Shortbread from Floriditas

After my behind-the-scenes kitchen tour at Floriditas, it was almost like being reunited with old friends when I spied owner Julia Baker and head baker Emily Keshav. The bakery samples also seemed like long lost friends too, ones I was quite to reunite with my delighted tastebuds.


Raspberry and almond tart from Floriditas


Chocolate fudge cake from Floriditas


Caramel brownie from Floriditas


Millionaires slice from Floriditas


Blueberry and blackberry yoghurt cake from Floriditas


Gingerbread cookies in the shape of jandals! (aka thongs or flip-flops)


Trombone player


Moore Wilson Fresh

I stepped into Moore Wilson not knowing quite what to expect. In a word: glee. The range of produce, cheeses, seafood and gourmet treats was staggering but I loved how everything was presented in an approachable market style without fuss or elitist pomposity.


Garlic and onions


Fresh vegetables


Artisan bread counter


Cakes and slices from Arobake


Cakes from Floriditas


Valrhona chocolate truffle cake from Floriditas


Self-service fresh seafood


Fresh flounder $14.95/kg


Fresh whole scarpi $5.95/kg


Fresh blue cod $16.95/kg


Live clams


Live mussels


Lobster tank


Cheese and prosciuto in-store tastings


Dairy case


The walk in cheese room! This was for fresh cheese.


And a seperate section and door for hard cheeses!


One of two cheese cabinets

Could this get any better? Oh yes it could! Across the corridor from Moore Wilson Fresh is Moore Wilson's Wholesale Cash & Carry.

Am I the only person who finds endless amusement from foodstuffs in giant-sized portions?


Super-wide aisles in the trade warehouse


Shoppers can use shopping trolleys or these bulk trolleys
especially designed for boxes and heavy items


Did someone ask for golden syrup? Here's 28kg of it


2.27kg of Edmond's baking powder


3kg tins of Wattie's spaghetti


20 litre buckets of mayonnaise


I just liked the name of these. Chow Chow!


5kg bags of San Remo pasta


2.5kg bucket of Davis gelatine (and gold-strength gelatin sheets)


Fish and chip paper



Grab Your Fork attended Wellington on a Plate as a guest of Positively Wellington Tourism. For more information on Wellington, check out http://www.wellingtonnz.com.

Wellington on a Plate ran from 17-30 August 2009. Next year's festival dates have already been confirmed as 14-29 August 2010.


View Larger Map

Moore Wilson
Corner of College and Tory Streets
Wellington, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (04) 384 9906

Opening hours:
Moore Wilson Fresh
Monday to Friday 7.30am - 7pm
Saturday 7.30am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Moore Wilson Cash & Carry
Monday to Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm