Press Release
Friday November 16, 2012

A Tantalising Tour of Taste of Auckland

New Zealand’s premier culinary festival Taste of Auckland kicked off last night amongst great foodie fanfare, with Auckland’s leading chefs and celebrities mixing and mingling at the official opening.

Over the next three days, thousands of guests will head along to either a lunchtime session (12pm-4pm), or a night-time feast (5.30pm-9.30pm) to sample some of the most delectable tapas-style dishes in the country.

Upon arrival, guests will be drawn through the gates by the smell of mouthwatering morsels from Auckland’s top restaurants, including Clooney, Depot, Euro, FISH, Kermadec Fine, Mexico, Molten, Poderi Crisci, The Commons, Toto Restaurant and Vivace.

The hardest task will be choosing which side of Victoria Park to start the culinary journey!

While eating is the main agenda, learning is also a key aspect of the festival this year. World renowned cocktail mixologist Frankie Walker will be wowing crowds with his Masterclass in ‘The Mix Live’ marquee while The Whisky Shop will take guests on a journey of some of the finest whiskies available. Barista of the Year Aymon McQuade and the Gravity Coffee team will be teaching guests about the finer points of coffee preparation and origins.

All that education makes a guest hungry, so spread throughout the festival are some of the finest gourmet artisan producers in the country. With more than 100 stalls dotted throughout Victoria Park, where guests can indulge themselves in trying a selection of fresh produce and local products from wine, cheese, condiments and delicatessen style food.

While guests make their way throughout New Zealand’s best fine dining festival, they’ll be entertained by the quintessential sounds of a jazzy summer - curated by music maestro Peter Urlich at the Peroni Bandstand.

The Savanna Village is another highlight offering refreshing Premium Cider and comedy from award-winning kiwi personality Ben Hurley, where guests can play pétanque, or simply sit back and cool off in the shade of the Lemon Lounge.

Within the star marquees in the middle of the park, guests will find Monteiths and Crabbies delicious drinks, Kapiti Ice Cream, special Italian Cocktails as well as Te Hana and Wither Hills wines.

Festival Director Rob Elliot says visitors to Taste of Auckland should expect the unexpected.

“There is so much to see and do that will both surprise and delight anyone who loves food and entertainment,” says Elliot.

“Each year we take people on the most amazing culinary adventure over four days; but this year – we’re taking festival goers on a journey to learn some of the secret tricks from New Zealand’s best chefs, baristas, mixologists, wine and whisky connoisseurs, so they carry a little bit of what they’ve learnt at Taste with them throughout the year.”

See the full festival line-up at www.tasteofauckland.co.nz

Taste of Auckland:
Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 November, 2012
Victoria Park, Auckland
www.tasteofauckland.co.nz

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