Top Restaurants Offer Taste Of Diwali

Media release
4 October 2012

Top Restaurants Offer Taste Of Diwali

Diners at some of Auckland’s top restaurants will enjoy a taste of Diwali thanks to a new initiative to accompany this year’s festival.

Illuminated strawberries, tamarillos, grapes, blood oranges and pomegranate, traditional halva and pistachios – that’s just one of the innovative dishes on the menu as restaurants rise to the challenge of creating a unique vegetarian dish to celebrate Auckland’s Diwali Festival.

Clooney, Vinnies and Wine Chambers are among the 15 restaurants who are taking part in Diwali Taste on a Plate food challenge, a joint initiative between Diwali Festival organisers, Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and the Restaurant Association.

The participants have been selected by the Restaurant Association of NZ and its Chief Executive Marisa Bidois says diners can visit the participating restaurants and submit their details (along with a review of the Diwali dish) online at www.aucklandnz.com/diwali to win up to $500 in restaurant vouchers.

“The Indian and non-Indian restaurants we approached have embraced the challenge and are relishing the chance to create their unique and delicious Diwali dishes,” Ms Bidois says.

ATEED Acting General Manager Destination Jennah Wootten says the food challenge is a welcome addition to this year’s Diwali festivities.

“Food has always been an important part of this colourful festival and having such a diverse line up of restaurants involved in Diwali Taste on a Plate is taking that to the next level.”

“We live in an era of food innovation and this is an innovative food challenge to mark one of Auckland’s signature cultural events.”

The Diwali Taste on a Plate restaurants are:
• Clooney
• Eight Point Two
• Hectors Restaurant at The Heritage Auckland
• Little India, Anzac Ave
• Little India Glen Eden
• Little India, Kingsland
• Number 5
• Monsoon Poon (from Oct 12, 2012)
• Oh Calcutta
• Shahi Indian Experience, Parnell
• Shahi Indian Experience, Herne Bay
• Sale St Bistro
• Two Fifteen
• Vinnies
• Wine Chambers

All participating restaurants will feature the Diwali Taste on a Plate dishes from October 4 until November 13.

Auckland’s Diwali Festival takes place on the weekend of October 13 and 14 at Aotea Square and Queen St. Highlights of the festival include delicious food stalls showcasing authentic cuisine, traditional and contemporary dance and music, the hotly contested Bollywood dance competition, a magical lighting installation and a grand finale fireworks display.

For more information visit www.aucklandnz.com/diwali .

ENDS

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