Master chef relishes role with Bay festival

STAR CHEF: F.A.W.C! ambassador and celebrity chef Ray McVinnie says the event is world class.

It's a little celebration of your corner of the country, it's unique to the area. It celebrates what you grow there but also where it's grown.
Hawke's Bay is putting local wine and food on a global stage and it stacks up with the best, says celebrity chef and F.A.W.C! ambassador Ray McVinnie.
The MasterChef NZ judge, who is internationally recognised for his own cooking prowess, has followed the event from its fledgling stage as a series of 58 summer experiences, three years ago.
Today, it has grown substantially and he couldn't be more impressed with its progress and the standard of what's on offer.
"I was asked to be their ambassador and I absolutely love it, it's really unique," he says."It's world class, I know this because I have been to a lot overseas."
It's not just the dining and entertainment opportunities Mr McVinnie raves about, but the unique setting in which it all plays out.
"It's a little celebration of your corner of the country, it's unique to the area. It celebrates what you grow there but also where it's grown."
He likened Hawke's Bay's 10-day festival to a well established Australian cousin, the Melbourne Wine & Food Festival, which next year runs from February 27 to March 15 .
A large part of the success of F.A.W.C! comes down to those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to pull it off. Their forward thinking and ability to keep up with what's happening throughout the globe, helps put them ahead of the game.
"The thing is that it's run by some incredibly creative people," he says. "The likes of Annie [Dundas] and Vicky [Roebuck] know what they are doing and they tailor everything."
The week that involves plenty of eating, some drinking, and a spot of walking or biking has been carefully considered to appeal to people from all walks of life.
"I have been to restaurants all over the world, some are pretty good, others aren't so good, this is something special, I don't see why you haven't got whole planeloads coming in."
This year F.A.W.C! has been scaled back slightly from 68 events last summer to a manageable collection of 61 inventive offerings, featuring seasonal produce, stunning locations and incredible wines, many of which showcase the stunning 2013 vintage.
Aside from his duties as ambassador, Mr McVinnie will be getting out and enjoying the week's entertainment.
"I am spoilt for choice, it's a tough decision as always."
While he jokes about having to do some "work" as host of the sold-out Locavore's Lunch and a free 45-minute Electrolux Kitchen Masterclass, he was excited to be involved. During the demonstration he will create an Asian-inspired dish with Michelin Star chef, Roger Jones.
F.A.W.C! works so well because it also builds on established traditions such as the Hawke's Bay Farmers Market, which takes place in Hastings every Sunday.
"The Locavore's Lunch is held there, and what a great spot. I have got relatives in Hawke's Bay, my aunt is 86 and she goes there every week. It's a real market, it's not just about people going there, it's a community, a social space.
"I have also found things there that I haven't seen anywhere else, I once very carefully bundled up some fir apple potatoes and took them home on the plane with me, because you just don't see them."
Hawke's Bay is lucky to have some very talented chefs, such as Paolo Pancotti, James Back and Francky Godinho, who McVinnie is full of praise for. Organisers also bring in some well known faces.
"There is some amazing dining, I went to a degustation at Cornucopia last year - what a treasure ... Martin Bosley is a knockout, and Nici Wickes, she really knows what she's talking about."
# Full details and tickets available at fawc.co.nz