Taste of NZ: It's 'foodie heaven' at festival in the park

Grove head chef Ben Bayly with crayfish destined to become culinary delights at the Taste of New Zealand festival. Photo / Greg Bowker

Some of New Zealand's finest cuisine will be showcased in the biggest food and wine festival of the year, Taste of New Zealand.

The multimillion-dollar event has 120 artisan food producers, boutique wineries and 13 top restaurants showing off their culinary skills and dishes.

Up to 70 Kiwi chefs will be at the event - including television's Annabel Langbein - as well as overseas stars Rick Stein and Gary Rhodes.

The four-day festival, at Victoria Park, starts tonight and is expected to attract thousands of people. Yesterday, dozens of tents had been set up and restaurant teams were preparing their full-functioning kitchens inside.

Festival director Rob Eliott said the festival was a must-visit for locals and tourists.

"This is the biggest gourmet village available. Some of the best restaurants in the country will be making their signature dishes," he said.

"It's a foodie's heaven. There's 140 exhibitors with gourmet cheeses, olives, beautiful icecreams and so much more.

"You get to sample dishes for a fraction of what it would cost in a restaurant."

Tonight's opening starts at 5.30 and will include a range of demonstrations and events. Stein will create Asian delights in the Malaysian kitchen, while Rhodes and Maori queen of cuisine Anne Thorp will also be doing a demonstration.

Mr Eliott said the festival featured produce, food and beverages from all parts of the country, so it was a perfect place for everyone to better understand Kiwi cuisine.

"We've got the ovens running and the kitchens are ready. If you like food then you've got to come here."

tasteofnewzealand.co.nz
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