In this occasional series on Wakatipu eateries, Queenstown reporter Tracey Roxburgh takes a look at . . . The Boatshed Cafe & Bistro.
It's pretty clear Jane Shaw has a soft spot for historic buildings - and a knack for turning them into homes for successful businesses.
In 2004, Shaw helped set up the Central Otago Farmers Market and went on to use some of the products to create preserves which in turn led to founding Provisions of Central Otago - an award-winning Central Otago preserves and baking company.
And when it came time to find a home for the business, Old Cromwell Town it was.
A few years later, another historic location was unearthed and Provisions was established in Arrowtown.
In 2010, the cafe took up residence in one of the three historic Buckingham St cottages purchased by the Queenstown Lakes District Council early in 2007.
That followed a $1.9million deal with Lake Hayes property developer John Martin, who purchased them from the late developer Eamon Cleary before on-selling them, leading to extensive restorations of the cottages.
And, in 2012, Shaw did it again, this time in the former New Zealand Railways Shipping Office.
The office was built between 1866 and 1876, near the corner of Hay and Beach Sts in Queenstown, used by Lake Wakatipu Steam Shipping Company as a storage shed and then by New Zealand Railways.
In the mid-1930s, it was moved to sit alongside the boat shed at Frankton Marina before later becoming a private residence and then a dilapidated shell.
But in 1999, the Wakatipu Community Maritime Preservation volunteers began their fight to save the complex from demolition and secure its future as a community asset.
Shaw said it was a perfect fit with her other businesses.
"I just love old buildings and it was such a unique opportunity in Queenstown.''
The interior fit-out was largely done by a group of about six resort residents who had done "a great job''.
The ceilings and floors are original and as much as possible was restored and reused during the renovations.
An expansive deck offers views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.
When it comes to the food on offer, Ms Shaw has continued her philosophy - fresh, locally sourced and changes with the seasons, except Provisions' sticky buns, which are a staple.
The Boatshed Cafe & Bistro's salted peanut caramel slice
Ingredients
200g biscuit crumbs
125g melted butter
1 can condensed milk
½ cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp golden syrup
250g salted peanuts, roughly chopped
Method
Grease a square baking dish with baking paper and preheat oven to 180degC.
Mix the biscuit crumbs and melted butter together, press the mixture into the tin and chill in the fridge.
Mix the condensed milk, brown sugar and golden syrup together in a pot on the stove and heat gently until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the peanuts to the condensed milk mixture and pour over the biscuit base.
Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes or until the slice is golden brown.
Leave until cool before cutting into fingers.
