Classic tempts everyone's tastebuds

ON THE MENU: Grant McHenry (left), Rex Morgan, Mark Caves and Tony Bish are working with EIT students to prepare for tonight's FAWC event Rex Morgan Cooks 25 Years of his Best, to be held at Sacred Hill Winery. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR HBT133933-01

As the weekend approaches, people are scrambling for a final taste of Hawke's Bay's Food and Wine Classic, with just a few tickets left to remaining events.

"It's really positive. We have had lots of people attending multiple events, there's visitors from all over the place," Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said.

"There's a fantastic couple who have come from Wellington for the whole week and attended last summer F.A.W.C! and winter F.A.W.C! People have come from Christchurch. It's great to see the word is spreading about what a fantastic event we have here."

Last night there was plenty to entertain, with a fun and frivolous cocktail class with mixologist, luxury drinks ambassador and television personality Frankie Walker.

Napier's Emporium Eatery and Bar hosted the evening, where secret combinations were shared and tipples tasted.

"Frankie is great, he's a real character - great to listen and learn from," Ms Dundas said.

Meanwhile, the Globe Theatrette in Ahuriri held a special screening of Tasting Menu, followed by a four-course dinner inspired by the movie. It was an early sell-out event.

"It seems to be very popular, it's good that there's some stuff happening in Napier, Globe Theatrette have been great and Emporium are sharing the love," she said.

At Delminico's, diners were treated to a history lesson of a different kind with a six-course degustation dinner, which represented six decades of world famous dishes.

"Delminico's are a fantastic new addition to Napier. They are doing some really exciting things - this is just one of them."

Lastly, it was a battle of the tastebuds at Black Barn in Havelock North, as people banded together to test their culinary knowledge and wine expertise during the Food and Wine Team Challenge in front of a packed house.