Meet Turtle: Pizza & Pints - Behemoth Brewing’s Latest Culinary Venture
In times of uncertainty, there’s an undeniable comfort in sitting down to a guilty-pleasure meal with friends and family. No strangers to a pivot, clever restauranteur couple, Hannah Miller Childs and Andrew Childs have met the brief and have the awards to show for it.
Their first baby, Behemoth Brewing has grown and evolved from being contract brewers in the beginning to opening up Churly’s Brewpub + Eatery on Auckland’s Dominion Road with a state-of-the-art brewery that has pumped out over 700 different beers, with that number growing weekly. A multi-award-winning brand that is synonymous with pop culture and big, hoppy carbonated creations, has an equally mouth-watering taco menu to accompany the ever-evolving range of beers and tap cocktails.
At the helm of the kitchen is Chef, Sam Fitzgerald. From Dairy Farm to Taco Star, Sam was born and raised in the lush landscapes of the Waikato, Sam discovered his love for cooking while washing dishes after school in a Marlborough vineyard restaurant. Leaving school at 16, he completed his apprenticeship there before honing his skills in Wellington's culinary scene. After a stint at The Larder in Miramar, Sam moved to Mount Maunganui, where he worked alongside his brother in his restaurants Barrio Brothers and Sigo and met his now partner, Mariana. Moving back to her home in Argentina, he was part of the opening of Proper, earning recognition in the Latin America 50 Best Restaurants for two consecutive years. But his passion for tacos was strong and soon led him to open his own successful taqueria, Georgie's. Driven by a desire to give his children the upbringing he cherished, Sam returned to New Zealand. Now, he shares his culinary expertise at the home of Behemoth Brewing, Churly's Brewpub + Eatery, crafting unforgettable flavours that celebrate his journey from dairy farm to taco boss!
After the success of the Churly’s, Hannah & Andrew saw an opportunity to expand their portfolio in the bustling district of Greenlane. Located in the heart of Central Park, Turtle: Pizza & Pints is their latest culinary venture. A nod to the classic 80s TV show, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Turtle: Pizza & Pints follows in the pop-culture footsteps of its sister brand, Churly’s. Serving all of your favourite Behemoth brews on tap, as well as tap cocktails and wine, Turtle’s menu served up by Chef, Darshan Sreekumar is the perfect accompaniment to a pint or two.
Originally hailing from the vibrant culinary landscape of South India, Chef Darsh embarked on a flavorful journey that eventually led him to the bustling culinary scene of Auckland, New Zealand. After pursuing his passion for gastronomy at culinary school, he delved into the world of hospitality, working his way up the ladder through various bars and bistros. It was a serendipitous encounter with a seasoned baker and pizzaiolo from Italy that ignited Chef Darsh's love affair with pizza. Entranced by the artistry of dough-making, he spent a year at Daily Bread, immersing himself in the intricacies of dough craftsmanship before fully dedicating himself to the pursuit of perfecting the pizza craft. At Umu Pizza, Chef Darsh's creativity flourished as he meticulously experimented with diverse dough recipes and techniques, relentlessly refining his skills. However, driven by the desire to challenge himself, he embarked on transitioning from crafting traditional Neapolitan pies to pioneering the art of Detroit-style pizza at Turtle. With a palate honed by devouring over 500 pizzas in the last two years alone, Chef Darsh's unwavering passion for pizza is what he says gets him out of bed every day!
"At Turtle: Pizza & Pints, we're on a mission to elevate the art of pizza-making while celebrating the craft beer & cocktail culture in a relaxed and fun way," says Hannah Miller Childs, co-founder and renowned ‘Lady Butcher’.
"From our fluffy Detroit-inspired crusts to our thoughtfully curated beverage selection, every aspect of Turtle: Pizza & Pints reflects our passion for great food and great company. "I'm thrilled to be a part of Turtle: Pizza & Pints and to bring my love of meat to the table," says Hannah. "From savoury pepperoni to succulent sausage, our meats are sure to satisfy even the most discerning carnivores." (Don’t worry they have excellent veggie and gluten-free options too! Including a super delicious vegan cheese)
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