Top International chefs add spice to Restaurant Month

MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, 1st July 2013

Top International chefs add spice to Restaurant Month line-up

Heart of the City in partnership with headline sponsor American Express® and Lemongrass Productions (the organisers of Taste of Auckland), are delighted to announce the involvement of three internationally acclaimed chefs in Restaurant Month in the BIG little City and a raft of exclusive restaurant dining events that will form part of the delectable event and foodie offerings this August.

Mark these dates in your diary as Restaurant Month 2013 is flying in some of the best chefs from around the world! Hosted by some of the most accomplished establishments in the central city, these chef events will run alongside the icon events; Official Launch Party, Street Eats and the Winter Warm-Up wine event together with over 20 unique restaurant events.

For starters on Wednesday 7 August, Sydney-duo, Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz will be serving up ‘A Taste of Porteno’ to diners at Vivace. This rock n roll duo are high on the Australian culinary hot list with their Argentinean BBQ and tapas style of cooking, and were recently named the ‘it’ chefs by The Sydney Morning Herald.

Next on the menu is British born Luke Dale-Roberts world-renowned for his technical flair in the kitchen, bringing innovative food and exquisite presentation to his restaurant in Cape Town, South Africa, The Test Kitchen. Luke was recently awarded the ‘One to Watch’ award at the 2013 Sanpellegrino ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ awards announced in April. Luke will be dishing up ‘A Taste of the Test Kitchen' on Wednesday 14 August at award-winning restaurant, Clooney alongside one of Auckland’s best - Des Harris.

Completing the month’s ‘specials’ is champion of fiery northern Thai cuisine, US-born Andy Ricker, who will be bringing his much acclaimed Asian dining banquet experience, ‘A Taste of Pok Pok’ to Everybody’s newly opened Izakaya on Wednesday 28 August.

Andy is the driving force behind the Thai award-winning Pok Pok Empire, with seven restaurants in New York City and Portland. Pok Pok is currently number eight in the Bon Appétit ’20 Most Important Restaurants in America’ list.

Balancing this international flavour with our own local ingredients, central city restaurants will also be hosting exclusive dining events throughout Restaurant Month providing even more of a taste of the inspiration, passion and talent of the city’s eating establishments. Watch out for wine makers’ dinners, food tours, themed evenings, opera, fashion, progressive dinners and wine and beer matchings.

Restaurant Month 2013 is gearing up to be an incredible month-long dining extravaganza!

Remember, all tickets are limited and will be highly sought after! For further details and all event and ticket information, visit www.biglittlecity.co.nz.

Ends

Notes to Editors

Heart of the City is the central city Business Members Association responsible for fostering the economic success of the CBD, both as a place to do business and a place to visit. Heart of the City is a non-profit Incorporated Society set up in 1996. Heart of the City represents the area between the Waterfront and Mayoral Drive, and from Victoria Park to Albert Park and operates the consumer brand BIG little City for its destination marketing activity to promote the central city.

Lemongrass Productions Limited, the organisers of Taste of Auckland, is on-board to organise and run the events for Restaurant Month for 2013.
American Express is the exclusive headline sponsor of Restaurant Month in the BIG little City. Restaurant Month is pleased to announce the support of new sponsors, including Negociants New Zealand, Villa Maria, Silver Fern Farms, Singapore Airlines and Sanpellegrino.

International Chef Dining Series

Icon Events

Restaurant Month Dining Events

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