Press Release
Tuesday November 13, 2012

It's Taste Time Again for Auckland!

Taste of Auckland kicks off four days of feasting in Victoria Park this Thursday, November 15th at 5.30pm. The central Auckland location will be transformed into a culinary community of artisan food producers, wine tasting marquees, and the top restaurants from around Auckland serving stunning tapas style dishes to food enthusiasts.

With a lineup of stunning menus, taste buds will be tingling in anticipation for the gastronomic event of the year. From the finest desserts, to sustainable seafood to an Italian culinary rivalry – this year’s event will have something for everyone.

The who’s who of Auckland chef’s and restaurants at Taste of Auckland include Des Harris from Clooney, Eugene Hamilton and Simon Gault from Euro, Antonio Crisci from Poderi Crisci, Javier Carmona from Mexico, Anton Leyland and Juan Balsani from Kermadec Fine, Sergio Maglione from Toto, Mandy Lusk from Vivace, Nick Honeyman from The Commons, Kyle Street and Al Brown from Depot, Sharne Yardley from Fish and Rob Richardson from Molten restaurant.

Visitors to Taste of Auckland this year will be able to watch cooking demonstrations at the Fisher & Paykel Chefs Kitchen hosted by winning Masterchef Nadia Lim, learn to mix, brew and create cocktails like the experts from The Mix Live, taste whisky like a pro with the team from The Whisky Shop, and learn the secrets of what makes the best coffee at the Gravity Coffee Masterclass.

In between eating tapas-style dishes of deliciousness, visitors can take time out to relax and listen to the hand-selected soundtrack curated by music maestro Peter Urlich at the Peroni Bandstand, as well as indulging in the comedy stylings of Ben Hurley at the Savannah Cider Village.

Visitors wanting something a little more special from the festival can treat themselves to the exclusive BMW VIP Lounge experience at Taste of Auckland with a glass of No1. Family Estate Marlborough on arrival and exclusive use of the VIP lounge and bar.

For the ultimate Taste of Auckland Session visit the BMW Marquee and watch Josh Emett in action, featuring his new Chef Series range, complimented by Moa Beer. This unique BMW Culinary experience will showcase a fusion of exquisite taste and authentic design for all Taste of Auckland guests to enjoy.

This year at Taste of Auckland, our Taste currency has gone electronic. When visitors arrive, they simply pick up an electronic crown card and load it up with currency. Your money will automatically be transferred into crowns. 2 crowns will = $2. Then simply use the card to purchase the delicious food and wine a Taste of Auckland.

Restaurant dishes cost between 8-12 crowns, and a glass of wine 6-8 crowns. Visitors can also purchase a special Taste of Auckland wine glass for 4 crowns on arrival, or simply add it to your ticket purchase online.

Festival Director Rob Elliot says visitors to Taste of Auckland should expect the unexpected “There is so much to see and do that will both surprise and delight anyone who loves food and entertainment,” says Elliot.

“Each year we take people on the most amazing culinary adventure over four days; but this year – we’re taking festival goers on a journey to learn some of the secret tricks from New Zealand’s best chefs, baristas, mixologists, wine and whisky connoisseurs, so they carry a little bit of what they've learnt at Taste with them throughout the year.”

See the full festival line-up at www.tasteofauckland.co.nz

Taste of Auckland:
Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 November, 2012
Victoria Park, Auckland
www.tasteofauckland.co.nz

ends

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>