MEDIA RELEASE
8 November 2016
Bellota celebrates 10th birthday
Happy Birthday Bellota! Auckland’s favourite authentic Spanish tapas bar is celebrating its tenth birthday with ten days
of special offers.
The birthday celebrations will be topped off by a special event on Wednesday 23 November hosted by the man behind
Federal Street’s Bellota, world-famous Kiwi chef Peter Gordon.
“I’m very proud to be celebrating Bellota’s 10th birthday. Looking back on the past decade(!) I’m particularly
appreciative of the staff that have come and gone over the years. We’ve employed some wonderful folk who shared my
passion for the authentic Spanish cuisine we serve, and who have helped ensure Bellota has stood the test of time in an
increasingly competitive Auckland restaurant market.”
Although Peter is perhaps best-known as the Godfather of Fusion Cuisine, Bellota was born from his vision to bring
authentic Spanish tapas food and wine to Auckland.
“I travel to Spain often and fell in love with the cuisine’s simple, rustic style and the integrity of its cooks and
chefs. Produce is paramount in Spanish cooking and we’ve always hunted out the best Spanish products available in New
Zealand, to make sure our tapas stays true to the Spanish traditions.” says Mr Gordon.
Bellota now has one of New Zealand’s largest Spanish-only wine lists, recently adding seven directly-imported Spanish
wines, exclusive to Bellota.
Bellota was SKYCITY’s first signature restaurant on Federal Street, later expanding to include an outdoor bar and
seating, adding to the award-winning precinct’s al fresco dining.
“Federal Street has changed significantly since Bellota first opened – the area has become one of Auckland’s top dining
destinations. As the first restaurant on the street, opening Bellota was certainly a very exciting time, and I’m pleased
to think that Bellota’s contribution to the precinct over the past ten years has been significant,” says Mr Gordon.
ENDS
ABOUT BELLOTA’S 10TH BIRTHDAY FIESTA
For the 10 days from 14 – 23 November Bellota will be celebrating its birthday with complimentary tapas from 5pm to 6pm.
There will also be live entertainment on 17 – 23 November, 5.30pm – 9.30pm, including Latin bands and DJ’s and Salsa and
Samba dancers.
The celebrations culminate in a special event on Wednesday 23 November with Peter Gordon and many of his special
supporters from throughout the years.
ABOUT BELLOTA
Bellota opened its doors on 23rd November 2006 at 91 Federal Street.
Bellota (pronounced bae–otta) is the Spanish word for acorn, and it’s the acorn that plays an essential part in the
creation of one of the world’s most prized delicacies – Jamón Ibérico de bellota (literally Iberian ham of acorns).
Bellota serves a menu of Spanish tapas that are as authentic as possible, but does include a few ingredients from the
Mediterranean and New Zealand to provide an extensive menu. Bellota is regarded as having New Zealand’s largest
Spanish-only wine list which boasts seven nationally exclusive Spanish wines directly imported in 2016.
Bellota was named in Metro’s Top 50 Bars in Auckland in 2015.
ABOUT PETER GORDON
Peter Gordon is renowned for his unique culinary philosophy, influenced by his extensive travels around the world. Peter
has restaurants both in Auckland (Bellota and The Sugar Club) and London (The Providores and Tapa Room). Peter has written eight cook books, the most recent being SAVOUR: Salads for all Seasons, and contributed to more than a dozen others. Peter was born in the New Zealand coastal town of Whanganui and has since
lived, travelled and cooked all over the world.
Peter worked as a consultant to Foods from Spain for many years, the UK based Spanish Governmental department which
promotes all aspects of Spanish gastronomy. He says that it is Spain, of all European countries, that most excites his
palate.
Peter Gordon was the first celebrity chef to partner with SKYCITY Auckland, opening dine by Peter Gordon at the Grand
Hotel in 2005, Bellota in 2006, and The Sugar Club in 2012.
For more background on Peter Gordon please visit http://www.peter-gordon.net/about/