Media release from Mt Hutt
10 June 2011

Dinner with the Stars returns to Mt Hutt

Playtime in the high country takes on a whole new meaning this winter as one of New Zealand’s most unique dining experiences returns.

The hugely popular ‘Dinner with the Stars’ will be held at 1585m in the snowy Southern Alps at Canterbury’s Mt Hutt ski area – and this season will feature ‘celebrity’ guest chefs and a range of exciting cuisines.

Dinners will be held every Saturday throughout July, August and September, weather permitting.

Mt Hutt’s newly appointed Food & Beverage Head of Department Jamie Bennett said the ski area planned to build on the “huge success” of last year’s dinner series by making them even more memorable this season.

“There’s so much to look forward to because each night will be ‘themed’ so the cuisine will differ hugely from one week to the next,” he said.

“While dramatic starry alpine skies and sled rides with huskies – as well as the gorgeous dinners themselves -- were some of the ‘stars’ of last season’s dinners, this year we’re taking the dining experience up a notch or two.

“We’re featuring local produce and celebrating magnificent Canterbury cuisine, from Akaroa salmon to Canterbury lamb, local duck, and local wine and cheese.

“Other nights we’ll be transporting diners to the delights of Morocco, France, Italy, the UK and even Scotland with ‘celebrity’ Cantabrian chefs who’ll bring their own distinct flavours to the night.”

Held in the cosy Huber’s Hutt, diners will not only enjoy a delicious winter meal but can book and experience night-time alpine activities including snow groomer or skidoo rides. New for this season will be free snow tubing after dinner on the beginners area.

Mt Hutt ski area manager David Wilson said guests were always surprised to see the amount of activity going on at Mt Hutt at night.

“Families and friends get a real feel of the night time mountain atmosphere and enjoy a unique insight into what happens up here at night,” he said.

“For the youngsters, I have to say the sled rides with huskies were the ‘hit’ of 2010.”

Tickets for the evening are just NZ$95 for an adult and $60 for kids and include transport from Methven to Mt Hutt return as well as dinner. Numbers are restricted to 80 people per night with bookings taken on a first in, first served basis.

ENDS

© Scoop Media