Taste of Auckland 2012
· BlogOct 19th, 2012 | By Jayson Bryant | Category: Blog
Taste of Auckland 2012
The highlight of the food and beverage year is near. Taste of Auckland 2012 rolls into town on the 15th – 18th November (time to get your tickets). If last year is anything to go on, this year will be huge.
The big ticket item for me is the VIP dinner celebrating Tony Astle, Auckland’s, maybe NZ’s, answer to Anthony Bourdaine. The dinner is about celebrating Tony Astle’s Antoinne’s restaurant 40th birthday. The moment I arrived in NZ, way back in 1998, Antoinne’s has been considered an Auckland culinary institution.
The premise of the evening is for 3 chefs, Simon Gault, Michael Meredith, and the man himself Tony Astle, to cook three dishes from the first menu over 40 years ago. Now you can see why I want to go.
The rest of the show will demonstrate what Auckland has to offer this Spring and Summer. The good news is that the crown system has been replaced with a card system. This will spare any frustration with money.
The other highlights, other than the wine, as that’s a given, will be seeing Des Harris (Clooney), Simon Gault and Eugene Hamilton (Euro Bar & Restaurant), and Mandy Lusk (Vivace) show their skills. Josh Emett will be in the F&P kitchen, Al Brown and Kyle Street of the highly acclaimed Depot will all be there.
Those home coffee machine owners will also be able to get the low down of making NZ’s best coffee from the masters at the Gravity Coffee Masterclass. Those of you interested in cocktails, no, not the film, will be keen on the handson demonstration with The Mix Live. Actually there’s something for everyone.
It’s a great place for the artisinal producer. This event allows all, big and small, to show off their wares. Olive oils, nuts, peanut butter, fudge etc are all there, in one field. Let’s not forget NZ wine though, there will be a huge offering for every palate, and to accompany every dish served from the numerous restaurants.
