Homeland

Built on the concept of being an embassy for all things food, Auckland’s Homeland is about appreciating local, sustainable produce, creating a sense of community and celebrating the kai of Aotearoa and the Pacific. Homeland’s waterside location offers stunning views across Westhaven marina towards Auckland’s Harbour Bridge, making it an idyllic destination round the clock.

Homeland is the brainchild of renowned chef Peter Gordon and his partner Alastair Carruthers. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Godfather of fusion cuisine’, Gordon spent over 30 years working in London (even cooking for the Queen and President Obama during this time) but has returned to the motherland to continue dishing up the goods.

The space is multi-faceted: in addition to the eatery (essentially a café by day, restaurant by night), Homeland is also home to a well-established cooking school and a retail store that showcases many of the local ingredients found on the menu. The school is designed to be accessible by all, with a range of different classes and demonstrations, as well as cuisines - including seafood lessons from master Peter Gordon himself. The benches are even height-adjustable so that the kids don’t miss out on the fun. 

Homeland’s menu is strongly influenced by food found in Aotearoa and the Pacific Islands, with each ingredient sourced from local growers and producers. You can’t brunch at Homeland without trying Gordon’s famous Turkish Eggs at least once, although the triple cheese scones are also loved - and feature on Auckland’s 100 Iconic Eats. However, it’s the lunch and evening menus where the real creativity shines. The ika mata has something of a cult following, as does the hāngī pork belly, for good reason. The pork is brined on site, transported to Rewi Spraggon’s hāngī pits in Bethell’s Beach to be cooked underground and returned to Homeland to be finished off in the woodfire oven before service. 

Everything at Homeland is deliberate, delicious and memorable. With its focus on championing local suppliers, Homeland is definitely an embassy worth supporting.