Queenstown set to explore an Olympic five-course feast

Queenstown set to explore an Olympic five-course feast at this year’s BMW ISPS Handa New Zealand Open

NZ Culinary Olympics Team on their way to delight Queenstown’s golf enthusiasts with a unique long lunch at The Hills

8th of March 2016

Queenstown and Central Otago food lovers can look forward to a delicious treat when the NZ Culinary Olympics team commences its journey through New Zealand, coming to Queenstown for a long lunch at this year’s BMW ISPS Handa New Zealand Open on Sunday, March 13th.

The five-course lunch is the fourth in a row of seven, following sold out dinner banquets in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch, where diners were treated to proposed competition dishes from the Culinary Olympic ‘hot service’ category. This month, the NZChefs team are looking forward to creating a feast for the senses for Queenstown’s local food lovers during the BMW ISPS Handa New Zealand Open.

The NZChefs team boasts an enviable mix of seasoned competition chefs and exciting new talent working to create an Olympics menu that captures the essence of New Zealand cuisine using both classic and contemporary methods. As the team meets in Queenstown to showcase their skill, they will also be looking to impress with ingenuity in a region known for its unique New Zealand produce. An Asian-style eye fillet of beef by local guest chef Andi Bozhiqi, Executive Chef at tournament co-host Millbrook Resort, will be presented to the guests for Canapes. Guests may also look forward to a pan-seared Akaroa salmon, lamb loin with braised shoulder and a pear and chocolate delice dessert – three dishes to be served at the Culinary Olympics in Germany.

Grant Watson, Director of Global Foodservice, Fonterra – the principal sponsors of the NZChefs team - says New Zealand has phenomenal culinary talent and it is well and truly time this was showcased to the world after a 28 year absence from the competition.

“We have some amazing chefs in this country working with unique and innovative techniques and fabulous, fresh ingredients. The Culinary Olympics will not only give us the opportunity to compete on the world stage but show the world the talent we have here in New Zealand and to showcase our amazing ingredients.

“The New Zealand culinary world has changed so much over the past 28 years and so has our cuisine. We now have star chefs and top rated restaurants which are as good as anywhere on the planet.”

Team manager Neil MacInnes is thrilled to be representing New Zealand and excited to have the opportunity to put the team through their paces across New Zealand. “Regional fare can differ widely across New Zealand with diverse produce being heroed from Kaitaia to Bluff. Each banquet we hold will help our chef team to develop our inherent Kiwi culinary identity by exploring local produce.”

Mr MacInnes has his sights firmly on the journey ahead. “The opportunity to take the journey to the ultimate competition destination does not come around very often. Performing under this kind of pressure and at an international level is such an amazing career opportunity for all of us. We’re also excited about what we can learn from some of the best chefs in the world who we will be competing against.”

The Culinary Olympics Long Lunch at the BMW ISPS Handa New Zealand Open is taking place Sunday, 13 March at The Hills, Queenstown. Tickets are strictly limited, single for $150+GST and can be ordered at events@theclubhouse.kiwi.

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