'Saveur' and 'Gameford Lodge' are brands of duck produced and distributed by Gameford Lodge 2009 Ltd.
Saveur Ducks
What is the Breed?
There is only one type of duck commercially grown in New Zealand. It is a white, walking duck (it does not fly), known as the Pekin breed. (NB: the name of the breed is unrelated to “Peking duck”, which is a famous duck dish!).
How are they raised?
Saveur and Gameford Lodge ducks are raised on deep litter in open sided barns with natural light and fresh air, with 24 hour access to food and water. Their feed diet is designed by poultry nutrition experts.
Why is the duck so fatty?
Ducks are a waterfowl and therefore have a layer of fat under their skin, which is required to keep them warm and waterproof! This layer of fat is rendered during the cooking process and is what makes the skin go crispy!
Are the duck suitable for Halal diets?
Saveur and Gameford Lodge ducks are certified by FIANZ, as being suitable for Halal diets.
Why are they so expensive vs chicken?
There are only very few ducks consumed in New Zealand as compared to the number of chickens consumed.
Gameford Lodge
Established in January 2004, Gameford Lodge supplies premium Chinese & European restaurants and airline caterers in the North Island. Gameford Lodge is the primary supplier of fresh duck to supermarkets and specialist food stores in the North Island.
Prior to 2004, duck was a relatively scarce meat, mainly found in Chinese restaurants and Asian BBQ shops. Even then, you had to order Peking duck 2 days in advance! So Gameford Lodge set up to supply restaurants, hotels and airline caterers the duck products they were looking for. As things got more established, fresh duck, under the Saveur brand, was introduced to supermarkets, for everyone to enjoy at home.
Today, Gameford Lodge duck can be found in some of Auckland’s most famous restaurants: The French Café, Cibo, Euro, Vinnies, Iguacu, Tribeca, etc. The same duck that supplies these premium restaurants can also be found in selected New World, Foodtown, Woolworths, Pak n Save and Countdown supermarkets in the North Island.
Gameford Lodge undertakes ongoing product development and testing. If you have any feedback on our products, be sure to drop us a line!
