What People Are Saying
“Having ‘Jennifer Darling Retreat Catering’ as part of your next event is something you won’t ever regret.
We have booked Jennifer for around 7 or 8 of our four day retreats now and she has firmly secured herself as our number one pick.
Sure, she cooks beautiful food which will have you wanting to ask for recipes (and even pray for there to be leftovers you can sneak into your bag for the trip home), but she brings so much more than that.
Firstly a joyful welcoming presence in the kitchen. Always smiling, sometimes singing and loves to have a friendly chat with anyone, which ads a lovely layer to any gathering.
Secondly, she pours a lot of aroha into everything she creates, going above and beyond to develop recipes and combinations that both remind you of all the good things Grandma used to cook and make you feel like you’re at some fancy exclusive new spot.
Thirdly and quite importantly, her bread. Her bread really deserves its own review but let’s just say it is always a crowd favourite and I know of one or two of my staff who would attend our events just for her bread alone….and the lemon curd.”
— Ness Johnson (Whiria Relationships Retreats Manager)
“We have engaged Jennifer and Aroha Catering for the past ten years to cater for large University groups with contemporary tastes and diverse dietary requirements. She has excelled on all occasions. Jennifer is capable, reliable, professional, and a pleasure to deal with. Her fare is local, seasonal, healthy, and delicious. Jennifer is now increasingly indispensable to our catering requirements, and I have no hesitation in recommending her.”
— Sandra Anderson (field course coordinator, Auckland University)
“It was so lovely to meet you this week. Your food was just so nourishing and delicious, infusing a little bit of home into our training week away. You are such a bright light, lifting the mood and infusing love and joy into the food we ate and the experiences we had on course. You contributed so much to our course that you will never realise. I give you 1000/5 stars.”
“I just wanted to say again your food for the retreat was divine. You put all the love into the food you prepare. What a beautiful gift you have.”
“Just a quick note to say thanks for producing such wonderful food ad libitum over the weekend for our field course. Everything went well and I’m sure a large part of this lay in the students being in a good space due in part to the quality and tastiness of your cuisine — I have no doubt. Thanks for a job well done. I look forward to what you have in store next year, should I be invited back to lead this event”
“I had the honor and privilege of spending a week being catered for by Jennifer on a training course at Flaxmill Bay Coromandel.
Not only does she cook and cater for all dietary needs she does so with willingness energy and LOVE! Her passion shone through and the flavours spoke to that.
The aroha she puts into the food encompasses what she lives breathes and espouses. The joy of her singing from the kitchen lifted many a soul.
Jennifer quickly got to know at least 35 participants’ names and created a team environment whereby association she was one of the facilitators in making what was a truly experiential week.
She catered for the body, mind, and spirit,
Thank You Jennifer our Darling.”
— Debbie Street (St John peer training, Coromandel)
“OMG what an experience! I had the privilege of devouring four days of this heavenly food by beautiful Jennifer!! I am a hard out meat lover . . . but so enjoyed my time of vegan. The food was exceptional to say the least and if you get the chance to try her Lavender butter—oh la la, to die for! Thank you so much Jennifer and all the very best to you and your daughter. Nga mihi Kere." - .”
— Kitty Martian (film writing workshop, Auckland)
“Every now and again you bump into someone who genuinely transforms you. Jennifer Darling, with her depth of joy and energy is one of those amazing people. All of her delicious creations, carry a glimpse of that energy that restores your soul.”
“Just wanted to say the picnic was awesome, the food delectably delicious, wholesome, healthy, nourishing and tasted scrumdiddlyumptious. Thank you so much for taking the time to pack it all in an environmentally friendly way... we loved the tins and it just added to the flavour of being on a holiday picnic rather than a teacher serious workshop.”
— Beccy Dove
“I recently attended a 6 day live-in course where Jennifer of Jennifer Darling Retreat Catering did all of our catering. The food she cooked us was next level and I’m sure I added a pound or two as I couldn’t resist going back for seconds. However, not only was the food fabulous, Jennifer was a delight to have around and nothing was a problem. Due to multiple food allergies, I often find mealtimes when someone else has done the cooking to be quite stressful. Not with Jennifer …her recall of all the attendees and any dietary requirements they had made meal times stress-free. Thank you, Jennifer, I hope I have the privilege of attending another retreat where you are catering.”
“I attended a wananga at Harautanga, where you catered every meal the entire week. Originally I was worried because events don’t usually cater well for vegans, but every meal was the absolute highlight of our day, vegan or not. Everything you made was delicious. Homemade bread, incredible salads, curries, and an out-of-this-world chocolate tart. I thought I’d died and gone to foodie heaven.
My diet has improved dramatically since leaving the wananga. You helped me recapture my love of cooking. Food will never be the same again.
You’re a brilliant chef and you did it all with a smile on your face, long hours and all.”
— Hana Hardy (Mountains to Sea Wananga Harautanga)