Entries for Food Challenge hit an all time high

7 May 2003
Press release

Entries for the Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge hit an all time high

A record breaking 145 nationwide restaurants and cafés have entered the 6th Annual Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge, a 60% increase from last year.

The Challenge is run across six regions with 33 entries received from Auckland, 17 from Hamilton, 15 from Tauranga, 31 from Wellington, 36 from Christchurch and 13 from Dunedin.

Monteith’s brand manager, Jacqui Jones says “The Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge is recognised as the premier wild food and beer matching competition in New Zealand.

“Beer and food matching has been practised in Europe for over 20 years, but Monteith’s has been steadily promoting the art in New Zealand for the past six years.

“Each year the Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge keeps growing, as more restaurants and cafés start to realise the benefits of participating.

“Regular comments from winning chefs and restaurants are that they love the creativity of crafting their wild food menu and from the business side, the Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge increases patronage to their restaurant”, she said.

Because of the growing success of the Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge, the beer brand has increased the prize package for the event.

For the first time this year, along with regional winners, an overall national winner will be selected. Regional prize packages are valued at $10,000 while the national winner will receive an additional prize package of $20,000. However, the ultimate prize for many restaurateurs is the kudos associated with winning such a creative and challenging event.

To compete each restaurant or café must create a unique two course meal utilising New Zealand’s finest wild foods and then match each course with a glass of Monteith’s beer.

A panel of experienced and independent foodie and beer judges will assess each outlet’s two meals. As well as recognition for the overall regional and national winner, there are also regional awards for the best beer and food match, the best service and the best spirit of the challenge.

Diners also get to vote on line at www.monteiths.co.nz for a consumer choice award.

The Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge starts in Wellington from 29 May to 14 June, followed by Auckland 5 – 21 June, Christchurch 12 – 28 June, Dunedin 19 June – 5 July and Hamilton/Tauranga 26 June – 12 July.

Ends

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