Taste of Auckland Serves Up Its Biggest Festival Yet

September 26, 2012

Taste of Auckland Serves Up Its Biggest Festival Yet

The countdown for the fourth annual Taste of Auckland Festival is underway, with a confirmed list of high-calibre chefs, artisan producers, foodie masterclasses and vibrant music all combining to make this year’s event the biggest and most exciting yet.

Scheduled for Thursday 15th – Sunday 18th November in Victoria Park, Auckland, Taste of Auckland is renowned for bringing together the finest and most innovative New Zealand chefs and this year is no exception.

The lineup includes chef Des Harris of Auckland’s award-winning fine-dining restaurant Clooney, Al Brown and Kyle Street of Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar and dazzling chef combination of Anton Leyland and Juan Balsani representing Kermadec Fine.

Bringing a sense of the unexpected to the mix this year is Nick Honeyman of The Commons in Takapuna and Mexico head chef Javier Carmona with his light and fresh take on Mexican cuisine.

Toto Restaurant’s Sergio Maglione will bring the flavours of Italy to Taste alongside his uncle and mentor (staying in the family), renowned head chef Antonio Crisci of Waiheke Island’s Poderi Crisci.

Masterchef Simon Gault and Eugene Hamilton of Euro will bring their exciting food innovation, and finally head chef of Fish, Shane Yardley, will bring organic, sustainable produce to the Taste of Auckland menu mix.

As always, a festival highlight is the Fisher and Paykel Chef’s Kitchen, hosted in 2012 by the vibrant Nadia Lim. Featuring a must-see line up of culinary masters, taking visitors step by step through how they can create the finest, awe-inspiring dishes in the comfort of their own kitchen.

As well as the enviable line-up of chefs, Taste of Auckland brings together some of the best in their field with a selection of Masterclasses for fun and education.

The Whisky Shop presents its renowned Masterclass, enabling guests to sample whiskey like a pro and learn what makes a great whiskey exactly that.

True coffee connoisseurs should attend the Gravity Coffee Masterclass with hosts Aymon McQuade and Stu Hargie. Whether becoming a Barista at home or learning more about international coffee secrets, there is a masterclass available for any coffee enthusiast.

Learning to blend cocktails like a true mixologist is absolutely possible with top international barman Frankie Walker hosting The Mix Live and proving just how simple it can be to blend the best tasting cocktails with ease.

Providing the perfect soundtrack for the festival will be a selection of the best local musicians, including the highly-acclaimed Peter Urlich and one of New Zealand’s most iconic jazz collaborations, Nairobi Trio. Relax and enjoy the music at the Peroni Bandstand.

After being inspired throughout the festival with music, chefs and masterclasses, the Small Producers Market will also delight food-lovers with boutique artisan producers hand-picked from throughout New Zealand. Visitors can discover the best in New Zealand food and drink with everything from gourmet chili products and homegrown nuts and fudge to boutique meat producers and artisan winemakers and brewers on show to sample.

Fans are urged to get in quick to receive the best ticket deals and to guarantee a ticket to New Zealand’s most anticipated food festival.

Early Bird Tickets finish this Saturday 29 September after which time General Admission tickets are available for $25 and premium tickets are $62.50, which include $40 Crowns (the festival currency).

For those wanting the ultimate Taste of Auckland experience, VIP tickets are available for $95 and includes VIP entry, access to the VIP lounge, $30 crowns and a glass of No. 1 Family Estate Methode Traditionelle on arrival and a fresh Nespresso.

More details on purchasing crowns as well as ticketing information can be found on the festival website: www.tasteofauckland.co.nz

Taste of Auckland is proudly supported by Singapore Airlines, Metro and Taste magazines, Fisher & Paykel, Prime and BMW.

About Taste Festivals
Taste Festivals are unique events where the host city’s most acclaimed restaurants and chefs gather in a stunning venue to present their signature dishes to thousands of ‘foodie’ visitors. Taste Festivals set the benchmark for food and drinks worldwide with many Taste Festivals being hosted around the world including Amsterdam, Birmingham, Cape Town, Dubai, Dublin, Edinburgh, Jo'burg, London, Melbourne, Milan, Sydney and Auckland. At each event, thousands of visitors enjoy signature dishes from the world’s finest restaurants, purchase top quality food and drink from our exhibitors and meet the most loved celebrity chefs.

Taste Festivals truly is ‘the world’s greatest restaurant festival’. www.tastefestivals.com

ENDS

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