Restaurants report that more diners than ever before are taking
advantage of New Zealand's largest restaurant competition which is
underway. Many are using the latest technology to choose their
dining experience with several hundred people viewing the special
wine and food matched menus on-line each day.
Almost 200 restaurants in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch
are taking part in the 1999 Corbans Wine and Food Challenge, which
runs until September 4.
"Many restaurants are reporting the highest level of interest
among diners since the challenge began several years ago," said Noel
Scanlan, the chief executive officer of Corbans Wines Limited.
"This is the second year we have put all the menus on our internet
website and have been amazed at the huge number of people visiting
the site to view them. And many restaurants report receiving
bookings as a result."
Participating restaurants have taken up the challenge to create
the ultimate three course wine and food matched menu. This special
menu is offered to all diners during the month long challenge, who
can choose to try all three courses or just one or two of the wine
and food matches. As well as including all menus on its website
(www.corbans.co.nz). Corbans has produced a free Challenge
Restaurant Guide (available by phoning 0800 CORBANS), This year's
menus have a strong emphasis on venison and ostrich with some very
innovative wine and food matches.
A panel of wine and food experts in each centre is judging the
challenge and report that the standard of entries, particularly the
service, is a lot higher than in previous challenges. The winner in
each centre receives a prize package worth $20,000.
Although diners have only until September 4 to try all menus, the
winning restaurants will continue to offer their special menus for
several weeks afterwards.
ENDS....