Chef Lee Huggins & Angie Jakicevich
DIDA’S. NEW CHEF. NEW MENU. SAME LOCATION. The story of Glengarry Wines has its origins upon the original Jakicevich family site at 54 Jervois Road in Auckland’s Herne Bay. In 1948, the government created a wine-resellers' licence to assist the local winemakers. Glengarry originator Josef Jakicevich was quick to see the potential, and was granted one of the first two licences issued in Auckland for the greengrocer’s store he had opened the previous year on the corner of Jervois Road and Blake Street. The licence was very restrictive: retailers were only permitted to sell New Zealand wine; they had to stock 12 wines besides their own and they were not permitted to sell less than two gallons to a customer (the equivalent of 12 750ml bottles). During this period, the New Zealand wine industry was dominated by sherry, port and a number of other fancifully named concoctions. Since then, the world has changed somewhat. Today, the site on Jervois Road is home to three thriving businesses. The original Glengarry wine store sits comfortably between the Dida’s Food Store and the Dida’s Wine Lounge, launched in 2005. ‘Dida’ is Croatian for grandfather, and the name is a fitting tribute to the pioneering Josef. Glengarry Jervois Road is one of the company’s flagship stores, housing an extensive range of international and local wines and a cellar beneath the shop that plays host to fortnightly tastings and is home to a large selection of fine wines. The Jervois Road team possesses excellent wine knowledge and offers delivery, glass hire and function advice. They can even organise any food requirements with the Dida’s staff next door. Dida’s Food Store provides an extensive and impressive cafe offering, with the Spanish eggs a signature dish. The Food Store also offers a catering service: with platters of cheese, antipasto, sandwiches, cakes and canapés all available, there is a diverse range of options available. In April, we welcomed back Lee Huggins from his United Kindgom homeland. Lee was one of the original team when Dida’s first opened, and obviously, although
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having returned to England for six years, he couldn’t stay away. We are delighted to have Lee back on board in the position of Head Chef. Back in the United Kingdom, he worked at a leading delicatessen and cafe, an establishment specialising in High Tea, a top-notch catering company and a private boarding school. While all worthy endeavours, nothing for Lee compares to being back in Herne Bay and at the helm of Dida’s. He has taken the month to review what’s around, and in May is presenting a new menu for the Food Store. We are also delighted to welcome back into the team Angie Jakicevich. A member of the third generation of the Jakicevich family, she is an important link between the family and its business on the original site. Angie has an extensive background working in all aspects of Glengarry, a passion for great food and wine and an impeccable understanding of the level of quality required to uphold the reputation of this historic family owned enterprise. DIDA’S, 54 Jervois Road, T: 09 361 6157, www.didas.co.nz
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