Visa Wellington On Plate Serves Biggest Banquet Yet

The capital’s tastiest flavours, personalities and experiences have today been brought to the table for the fifth serve of Visa Wellington On a Plate.

Festival Co-director Sarah Meikle says over 14,000 tickets to festival events have been sold to date with organisers of Beervana and Wellington Fisher & Paykel MasterClass reporting sales well ahead of previous years.

“It’s great to see that visitors and locals have an overwhelming appetite for what our region’s incredible food and beverage industry has to offer. While over 50% of festival event sessions are sold out, there are still plenty of tickets available throughout the 17-day culinary festival, along with 108 DINE Wellington menus and 69 delectable burgers to try.”

Ms Meikle says the festival continues to grow both in size and success. Since 2009, DINE Wellington participation has increased over 150% and the Festival Events programme has grown over 270%.

“New Zealand’s largest and tastiest culinary festival is really thriving and has quickly earned its place as a must-do event and one that sees people actually highly anticipating the depths of winter.”

The festival starts in style with the announcement of the annual MiNDFOOD Wellington On a Plate Award winner – for the menu that best reflects the culinary capital’s flavour.

She says “the focus on local flavours is what makes Visa Wellington On a Plate truly Wellington and sets it apart from any other culinary festival or event.”

Matterhorn and Martin Bosley’s are again vying for the title, while Vista, Muse on Allen and Greytown’s Wakelin House are also in the running for top honours.

The Award is being judged by Ms Meikle, along with Michael McHugh - chief editor of MiNDFOOD Magazine and Michael Meredith - culinary star, chef and owner of Meredith’s. Menus will be rated on inclusion of regional ingredients, taste, presentation and regional beverage match.

“This annual award recognises the creativity and skill of the region’s chefs, and the way in which they showcase local ingredients through the festival’s DINE Wellington programme,” says Ms Meikle.

The winner will be announced at the MiNDFOOD Festival Launch Celebration Dinner this evening.

:: Visit VisaWellingtonOnaPlate.com to book events and browse menus.

Photo caption: Keeping Hunger at Bay - standing L-R: Shepherd Elliott (Ti Kouka Café), Sahil Hussain (Artisan Restaurant and Bar), Pete Gillespie & Jos Ruffell (Garage Project), Bridget Dunn (PreFab), Nick Clark (Flight Coffee), Kimmy O’Leary (Hummingbird) and Shaun Clouston (Logan Brown).

ENDS

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