All Blacks support New Zealand lamb in Italy

Media Release

11 November 2009

All Blacks support New Zealand lamb in Italy

Meat & Wool New Zealand has supplied the New Zealand lamb that the All Blacks will help prepare at a cooking event organised by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) in Italy, ahead of their rugby game against Italy in Milan at the weekend.

Meat & Wool New Zealand General Manager, Market Development, Craig Finch, said the organisation was working with NZTE to promote premium New Zealand food products in the promising Italian market.

Italy is New Zealand’s 6th largest EU market taking 4,632 tonnes of lamb worth $47.9 million (2008-09).  There has been growth in New Zealand’s beef exports to Italy in the last two years with 2,696 tonnes worth $32.7 million in 2008-09 being imported into the Italian market.

Five All Blacks will support staff from a noted cooking school and the Grani&Braci restaurant in Milan and they will help prepare a four course meal for 240 guests. They are Mils Muliaina, Ma’a Nonu, Andrew Hore, Andrew Ellis and Anthony Boric.

“Guests include Italian food and beverage importers and distributors and influential media along with All Blacks sponsors and tourism representatives.”

The All Blacks will lead cooking teams, including contestants in Italy’s Next Top Model television show.

Mr Finch said the menu included New Zealand lamb cutlets in a pistachio crust and light mint sauce. Other New Zealand produce includes venison, Greenshell mussels, kiwifruit and a selection of wine and beer.

The cooking event is being televised live by Sky Italia and will also be shown on Sky TV here in New Zealand.

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