13 November 2013

MEDIA RELEASE

New cookbook captures Hawke’s Bay on a platter

Ask what defines Hawke’s Bay and among the answers are bound to be fresh fruit and vegetables, wonderful wine, delicious seafood, farm fresh meat, alfresco lifestyle, beautiful scenery and possibly Maori love story myths.

It’s all these ingredients plus more that are embraced in Hawke’s Bay On a Platter, a new visually stunning, 200-page cook book being produced as a joint fundraiser by Woodford House and Hereworth School.

“We were determined to create ‘not just another cookbook’,” says Jo Harvey, one of the small team of predominantly school parents behind the production. “The result is a book that uniquely captures the essence of Hawke’s Bay. All that’s good in terms of being a producer of great food and wine and fabulous places to visit.”

Interspersed between the recipes, supplied by school families and local food and wine stalwarts, are stunning bespoke photographs by award-winning photographer, Lee Warren.

Also featured are snippets of history that has shaped the region and stories about local iconic landmarks such as Te Mata Peak and Pania of the Reef.

“This is a cook book but it could easily adorn a coffee table as the full page photography on almost every page is a visual feast,” says Mrs Harvey. “Even our advertisers embraced the concept we created and you’d be hard pressed to tell what is an ad over another glorious photographic representation of our region.”

Work began in February this year for the team of seven: Jo Harvey, Ana Ward, Jackie Black, Kate Vautier, Heather Smith, Lee Warren, and designer Steve Rawlinson.

All but Mr Rawlinson were new to the publishing game and it was a steep learning curve with two of the women taking leave from paid work to get the book completed to the printer’s deadline.

“There were a few weeks of not much sleep,” says Mrs Harvey.

Families from the two schools submitted recipes, many of which have been handed down through generations. Chefs from Elephant Hill, Sileni and Blackbarn Bistro plus winemakers and olive producers also contributed their favourites.

Each recipe in the final cut was cooked or baked by the donor and then styled by Ms Smith to be photographed. Care was taken to check instructions and where necessary, these were edited or expanded.

With dust jacket, marker ribbons, and a high quality production, the fundraising book has been released to coincide with Christmas gift purchasing.

Retailing for $50, the limited edition Hawke’s Bay on a Platter can be purchased on line or at selected retail outlets. www.onaplatter.co.nz

ENDS

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