Lake Wanaka celebrating New Zealand’s finest wine, beer and food

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (10 October, 2012) – Lake Wanaka restaurants have been tasked with creating a signature dish using the region’s finest fresh produce as part of the Lake Wanaka Wine and Food Fest, this Labour Weekend.

From local venison pepperoni topping Francesca’s Pizzas to Central Otago rabbit rillette with Wanaka quince syrup at The Landing, Wanaka wild thyme and new season asparagus risotto at Federal Diner to Maungawera lamb burgers at Relishes Café the challenge guarantees unique and delicious meals, matched with wine from Wanaka’s celebrated vineyards.

For those with a sweet tooth there’s Black Peak’s Gelato sorbets crafted from Central Otago peaches, apricots or boysenberry, or Alivate Restaurant’s Annabel Langbein chocolate brownie with frozen Broken Shed Vodka ice cream cocktail and Broken Shed limoncello.

Tasting gets underway this week by a secret panel assessing the signature dishes at all the restaurants. A shortlist of the three favourites will move through to the next round where Masterchef’s Jax Hamilton and Lake Wanaka Tourism’s general manager James Helmore determine the top dish. The dish which makes best use of fresh local produce will be announced at the Lake Wanaka Wine and Food Fest on Saturday 20 October.

The Lake Wanaka Wine and Food Fest will showcase local restaurateurs and vineyards serving fresh dishes and fine wines with live entertainment throughout the day. The event features on the Willowridge Wanakafest three day programme of sporting, fashion, movies, music and entertainment during Labour Weekend.

Seventeen local restaurants are participating in the challenge running for the month of October. Signature dishes are available during October at participating restaurants.

For further information on participating restaurants and the Lake Wanaka Wine and Food Fest, plus other fun-filled festival activities during Wanakafest, visit www.wanakafest.co.nz.

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