Chef Kevin Blakeman joins The Chocolate and Coffee Show

20th February 2014

Chef Kevin Blakeman joins The Chocolate and Coffee Show

The Chocolate and Coffee Show is pleased to announce Kevin Blakeman as one of the chefs who will be doing live demonstrations at the show.

Kevin will take to the show’s cooking theatre on 3-4 May to create a selection of delicious dishes using chocolate and coffee.

Show organiser, Keith Sharp, says the cooking demonstrations will give show visitors fresh ideas on how to use chocolate and coffee in the kitchen.

“We are very excited to have Kevin on-board as he is a tremendous talent who will wow the crowd with his creative ideas using chocolate and coffee,” says Keith. “He has worked at a number of great restaurants over the years, and will bring this experience and knowledge to the stage.”

Kevin’s culinary journey began in the UK, where he spent four years as chef at the Houses of Parliament in London cooking for heads of state and royalty among others.

At the age of 21, Kevin was working as a head chef when he decided to move to New Zealand with his partner. Since arriving in the country he has worked at Kumeu’s Allely Estate, Waitakere Estate and more recently, Coco’s Cantina.

Kevin is currently the head chef at Como Street Cafe in Takapuna, New Zealand’s first completely palm oil free cafe, and on the weekends he indulges his passion for using local produce with cooking demonstrations at the Hobsonville Market Kitchen.

“My food philosophy centres on simplicity, seasonality and ease. I am really excited to be joining the Chocolate and Coffee Show and can’t wait to show visitors some creative and delicious ways to use chocolate and coffee,” says Kevin.

A multi-award winner, including three Beef and Lamb Excellence awards, Kevin also holds monthly cooking classes and caters for private functions.

The Chocolate and Coffee Show, in association with Green Valley Pure Milk, will feature New Zealand’s best chocolatiers, coffee roasters, baristas and others.

Visitors to the show can expect to see the best boutique and artisan companies alongside larger brands, entertainment as well as plenty to sample and buy.

There will be an array of products to tempt every sweet tooth and coffee connoisseur with visitors getting the chance to discover new brands, flavours and tips over the course of the two-day event.

What: The Chocolate and Coffee Show
Where: The Cloud, Queens Wharf, 99 Quay Street, Auckland
When: Saturday 3rd May -- Sunday 4th May 2014
Time: 9am-6pm (Saturday 3rd May); 9am-5pm (Sunday 4th May)
Visit: http://www.chocolatecoffeeshow.co.nz/ and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chocolateandcoffeeshow?ref=hl

ENDS

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