Philippa Cameron - Winter Warmers: Recipes and stories from a New Zealand high country station

Contents

Introduction

I t seems so long ago now that I received a message from Jenny Hellen, the Publishing Director at Allen & Unwin New Zealand, asking whether I had thought about writing a book. At the time I wasnt even sure if it was a real enquiry perhaps it was a hoax? Like any millennial self-appointed detective I conducted a quick google, which told me that Jenny was in fact a real person and the publishing company was not small in any sense of the word.

Back then, I had two preschool children underfoot and a small Instagram account (@whats_for_smoko) showcasing our rural lifestyle and what I was making our staff for smoko (morning tea) each day. It was a concept that grew from peoples misconceptions about what a farmers wife does all day. I am a big advocate for taking pride in the role of farmers wife or partner. Those of us who fill the role know that it doesnt mean taking a backwards step in feminism, and we most definitely know its not a kept womans position. If I began to list on my fingers what my role entails, Id soon run out of fingers. And since moving to the station with my husband, Joe, I have met so many inspiring, motivated and entrepreneurial farmers wives. Their journeys are all different, but their stories hold universal truths for rural women worldwide. I believe we need to take pride in the role and support each other no matter what each persons job description looks like. To all these women, I am so proud of you and your stories, and in return thank you for your friendship and support.

Readers of my first book, A High Country Life , will know that temtt Station is a 40,000-hectare high country station in Otago, where the Cameron family has farmed for five generations. When I was working on A High Country Life , it was suggested that I write it from the perspective of the station cook and mother of the next generation of Camerons on temtt Station. It was hard to comprehend who my audience would be. Would people really find it interesting? Surely it would just be people living in a rural setting who would pick up the book at the library or bookstore, and it would never sell over the ditch or further abroad? So, as I wrote the manuscript, I thought to myself, I will write this for my daughters if they are the only people who will read it from cover to cover, then I want it to be for them.

The personal tales woven through this book were inspired by the former employees who got in touch after my first book was published, sending me messages or posting handwritten letters and photos of their time here at temtt Station.

What I could never have imagined, though, was the amount of support and praise I would receive not just from rural New Zealanders but from those living in cities, too. I would often come in from outside to a voicemail from a past employee who had read the book and wanted to introduce themselves. I received gorgeous handwritten cards and letters from women who had held similar posts as me and, now that their children had grown up, they wanted to share their gratitude for me documenting and valuing their roles. I was continually surprised, especially when I was tagged in stories and posts on social media of my book sitting on kitchen benches and coffee tables as far away as Canada, Scotland and Hong Kong.

When I was approached by the wonderful team at Allen & Unwin to pen a second book with many more tried-and-true recipes, it was fun to imagine what I could fill the pages with. Eventually we decided to showcase winter on the station a season that brings its own unique beauty as well as its challenges. Through the cooler months of the year, filling and satisfying food is even more important for the station workers, so it made sense to focus on winter warmers: recipes that are hearty and comforting for hungry bellies.

In many of the recipes, I have given alternative methods using the magic pot (see ) or using a slow cooker, as well as the traditional method on the stovetop or in the oven. Readers of my social media and my first book will be familiar with my fondness for the magic pot, but I wanted to make sure there were options for everyone.

The personal tales woven through this book were inspired by the former employees who got in touch after my first book was published, sending me messages or posting handwritten letters and photos of their time here at temtt Station. I have shared many cups of tea over the past year and a half with the most humble and charismatic people who are honoured to have called the station home. As I write this, I know there are many more people who could have featured on these pages and I apologise if our paths havent crossed yet. You might be surprised to hear that the stations postal address is still the same, and even though your story wont be shared in this book, it will be cherished by our family.

Please enjoy. It has been a joy to share these glimpses of life on a high country station with you, and I thank all of you who have contributed to Winter Warmers . Your stories will be treasured by all, but especially by me.