Something’s cooking in Wanaka 

Fracescas pizza at the Festival

Wanaka, Wednesday 9 October, 2013 – Premium Central Otago wine, master class demonstrations and gourmet dishes are all on the menu at this year’s Lake Wanaka Wine and Food Festival during Willowridge Wanakafest this Labour Weekend (24 – 27 October).

The event at Pembroke Park in Wanaka will celebrate all that Central Otago has on offer during spring with wine tastings from top local wineries including Maude Wines, Rippon and Wild Earth Winery.

“Along with the wine and food, we also have great entertainment on offer this year with Kiwi music icon Don McGlashan and Christchurch band 1 Drop Nation,” event organiser Laurel Morrison said. “And with the Festival only a couple of weeks away, we have just launched a new signature dish competition around town.”

People wanting to create their own signature dish can get some tips at the four Infinity Master Classes during the Festival, including demonstrations from top local chefs on cooking with wine, making cocktails and creating dishes with raw foods.

New at this year’s Festival is the David Reid Homes Long Lunch being held at 3pm on the Saturday. Three of Wanaka’s finest chefs, James Stapley of Whare Kea Lodge, Leungo Lippe of Boa Boa and Shane Avant of The Landing, will each contribute two dishes towards a degustation lunch.

“The lunch should be a lot of fun for us chefs,” award-winning chef James Stapley said. “It will be like eating out at three different restaurants in the one place – so a real treat for guests.

“The food and wine scene in Wanaka is growing every year and it’s great to be able to celebrate our local produce and talent with fantastic events like Willowridge Wanakafest.”

For more information on events and tickets visit wanakafest.co.nz.

ENDS

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