Taste of New Zealand Begins Today

Wednesday 19 October, 2011

Press Release

Ready Steady Taste!

Taste of New Zealand Begins Today

It's so close you can almost Taste it, as New Zealand's biggest and best festival of food and wine, Taste of New Zealand transforms Victoria Park, Auckland into a vibrant village of delicious sights, sounds and flavours!

[Taste of New Zealand]

Starting today and running through to Saturday the 22nd of October, Taste of New Zealand is four days of foodie heaven with more than 20,000 people expected to attend.

Featuring a line-up of some of the very best New Zealand chefs, 13 top restaurants, 140 artisan producers, and a cluster of boutique wineries, Taste of New Zealand is a unique demonstration of the quality and gastronomic innovation our nation has to offer. And from the moment gates open at 5:30pm, there are events and features to turn the head of any food-lover.

Highlights include demonstrations by British food superstar, Chef Rick Stein on how to fuse Malaysian cuisine with New Zealand produce. His compatriot, celebrity chef Gary Rhodes will show off the skills that won him six Michelin Stars. And a VIP launch hosted by our own Annabel Langbein also doubles as the launch of her book, Free Range in the City.

Local food stars are too numerous to list but include the likes of Nici Wickes, Nadia Lim, Anne Thorp and the Food Truck's Michael van de Elzen, all making appearances throughout the festival.

Visitors to Taste of New Zealand will be able to sample outstanding dishes from top restaurants including winner of the highly coveted Metro/Audi Restaurant of the Year, The Grove, plus Cocoro, Cru at Sale St, Marvel Grill, Monsoon Poon and The Wharf.

Award winning expat chef Chef Warren Turnbull returns home for Taste of New Zealand bringing his Sydney concept, District Dining recently launched in Auckland and will be helped out in the Kitchen by good mates Justin North and MasterChef Judge Josh Emett.

TONZA (the Taste of New Zealand Awards) is an initiative that recognizes restaurants that champion regional produce. Hosted by Chef Phil Neverman, the TONZA Kitchen features Te Whau Vineyard, voted "Best Rural Restaurant" for the past three years in the Metro/Audi Restaurant of the Year Awards, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, True South Dining Room at The Rees Hotel and Restaurant Schwass, reopening at the event for the 4 days of the festival after being demolished in the Christchurch earthquake.

The Fisher & Paykel Chefs Kitchen is an opportunity for visitors to see cooking demonstrations by some of the best local and international chefs sharing their cooking secrets. Hosted by Kelly Young, the fantastic lineup of chefs includes: Gary Rhodes, Annabel Langbein, Josh Emett (Masterchef), Michael van de Elzen (The Food Truck), Nici Wickes (World Kitchen & Viva), Paul Jobin (Executive Chef Sky City), Sergio Maglione (Toto Resturant) and Ben Bayly (The Grove) as they share their informative and delicious culinary journey.

Or visitors can get even closer to their food heroes at the Waiwera Chefs Table, a unique opportunity to sit down and pick the minds of those that make the culinary world tick in an intimate environment.

The Audi VIP Lounge is the place to meet, with Nautilus Estate Cuvee on arrival and exotic cocktails by David Hawk and his team from Suite Bar. More along the drinks theme, visitors can partake in Whiskey Masterclasses with the inimitable Bart Burgers of the Whisky Shop.

And that's not all, with more than 140 boutique artisan producers hand-picked from around the country to showcase the very best of New Zealand food and drink. Visitors can discover single estate olive oil, gourmet chili products and artisan preserves, brewers, coffee roasters, winemakers and butchers, all of absolute premium quality.

And the festival atmosphere is all set to a fantastic live soundtrack on the Peroni Bandstand, created by the very talented Peter Urlich. Nathan Haines takes top billing on an entertainment schedule that includes performances by Caitlin Smith, The Nukes, The Reputations, Josh Leys and the Peter Urlich Sextet.

Says Festival Director Rob Eliott, "Taste of New Zealand is the biggest and most exciting celebration of New Zealand cuisine - ever".

"Taste of New Zealand is an absolute must-see for any visitor to New Zealand and any New Zealander who loves their food and wine," he said.

Taste of New Zealand:

Wednesday 19 - Saturday 22 October 2011

Victoria Park, Auckland

12pm to 4pm and 5.30pm to 9.30pm daily (evening only session on Wednesday)

www.tastefestivals.co.nz

(Ends)

© Scoop Media