Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge Draws Near

Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge Draws Near

The ultimate beer and wild food matching competition is getting closer. Chefs are sharpening their knives and adventurous diners are getting their palates ready.

The 6th Annual Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge starts in May and will be served in a variety of restaurants and cafés in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

The Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge timeline is: Wellington: May 29th – June 14th, Auckland: June 5th – June 21st. Christchurch: June 12th – June 28th. Dunedin: June 19th – July 5th. Hamilton: June 26th - July 12th. Tauranga: June 26th – July 12th.

Each restaurant will create a unique two-course meal utilising New Zealand’s finest wild foods and match each course with a glass of Monteith’s beer - there are five craft brews to choose from.

Wild food is essentially non-farmed produce reared and processed under usual health and safety regulations but excludes endangered species.

Monteith’s brand manager Nick Rogers says this year’s Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge has an extra edge.

“For the first time this year, along with the regional winners who will win a prize package valued at $10,000, we will also pick an overall national winner, giving them the ultimate Monteith’s beer and wild food matching kudos along with an additional prize package valued at $20,000.

“It’s also good news for diners as the competition menu for the regional winner will continue for an extra month. This gives locals time to appreciate the winning dish in their award winning restaurant and judges time to get around all the finalists,” he adds.

Kerry Tyack, New Zealand’s leading beer and food expert is the convenor of the Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge and responsible for the judging panel.

“The judging panel will be made up of food and beverage experts from each area”, he says.

“They all have an interest in the art of beer and food matching which continues to grow in popularity”.

To keep up-to-date on the Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge go to www.monteiths.co.nz

Monteith’s is also the beer sponsor of the Hokitika Wild Food Festival on Saturday 8th March 2003.

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