Street Eats is back this year as restaurants, food trucks and pop ups deliver a one day smorgasbord of culinary delights. Jeremy Toth
Street Eats is back this year as restaurants, food trucks and pop ups deliver a one day smorgasbord of culinary delights. Jeremy Toth
Auckland's biggest dining event is back - and celebrity chef Simon Gault is telling food lovers there are plenty of mouth-watering creations not to be missed.
More than 100 of the city's best food establishments are offering special deals from $25 and 25 events to choose from, Auckland Restaurant Month has something to suit all tastes and occasions.
You could take the kids to a pizza-making class, brush up on your food photography skills at the #Foodography Dinner, bike between restaurants or enjoy food by some of the world's top chefs.
Restaurant Month began on Tuesday and Gault, who recently opened Giraffe at Auckland's Viaduct Basin, said it was a good opportunity for Kiwis to get out and try something different - such as Maori fine dining and food by international chefs including Ryan Clift from Tippling Club in Singapore, one of Asia's top 50 restaurants.
"It's very exciting to try their food in Auckland," he said.
At Giraffe, they enjoy the change of pace. "All the kitchen staff and front of house staff love [Restaurant Month] because it's different."
Gault has collaborated with Megan May of Little Bird Organics for Restaurant Month to bring diners a first of its kind breakfast degustation event at Giraffe this weekend.
The raw and wholefood focused menu will show diners that "to eat well doesn't have to be eating twigs and berries".
Celebrity chef Simon Gault says Restaurant Month is an exciting time for Kiwis to get out and try something different. Photo/Michael Craig
Gault said a current food trend in Auckland is showcasing the country's finest produce and producers.
"It's about letting the produce do the talking and the flavours do the singing. So not mucking with [food] a lot," he said.
"It's about seeking out those ingredients and going direct to the supplier. It's not about cost. The quality and passion behind the people who are growing and fishing the products is important."
Some of the city's newest restaurants that you've been meaning to try - including SkyCity's Huami - will also be joining in on the action with a Chinese degustation menu.
The Chef Dining Series, a highlight of Restaurant Month, has returned this year with five stunning events.
Internationally-acclaimed chefs, hailing from Los Angeles, Singapore, Sydney, Malaysia and Australia, have collaborated with local chefs to bring you unique experiences.
Celebrate the best of Maori fine dining at the top of the Sky Tower or taste some wild ingredients foraged by Ben Devlin of New South Wales' Paper Daisy, Sydney Morning Herald's Regional Restaurant of the Year 2017, as he cooks alongside Euro's Gareth Stewart.
Street Eats also returns for the fifth year running. This is your chance to grab the family and join in on the fun as street art, live music and food trucks come together at Shed 10 on Queens Wharf.
Viv Beck, chief executive of Heart of the City said Restaurant Month has become an annual tradition for the city that is eagerly anticipated by locals and visitors.
"Auckland's central city dining scene is right up there with other flourishing international cities and is a great way for people to celebrate this culinary talent on their own door step".
Events to look out for:
Fine dining - A Taste of Maori Fine Dining
A Taste of Maori Fine Dining will combine indigenous ingredients and traditions with world-class modern chefing techniques. Photo/Supplied
Top chefs and some of the staunchest supporters of Maori kai have collaborated to deliver food that displays traditional flavours and techniques, at one of Auckland's most scenic restaurants. Join Monique Fiso, Morgan McGlone and head chef of the Sugar Club, Neil Brazier, as they turn Maori cuisine, including paua, piko piko and horopito, into world-class modern dishes.
The Sugar Club, Sky Tower, 72 Victoria St West August 30 $230 per person including a drink on arrival and six courses with matching wines
Street Eats is back this year as restaurants, food trucks and pop ups deliver a one day smorgasbord of culinary delights. Jeremy Toth
It's time to give the big fish a break and let the little guys shine. With so many different fish in the sea this event will show that big, such as tarakihi and snapper, isn't always better by heroing small fish including anchovies, whitebait and pilchard.
Matching wines are available for an additional $35.
Scarecrow, 33 Victoria St East August 26 $65 per person including seven courses and canapés upon arrival
Cheap eats - Street Eats at Shed 10
Enjoy some of your favourite street food at the Street Eats event on Queen's Wharf. Photo/Supplied
Some of the city's top chefs will come together at Shed 10 to serve their take on the world's hottest street food. There will be a myriad of cuisines and flavours to try, from restaurants, food trucks and pop-ups including Crab Shack, Mexico, Café Hanoi, Temaki Truck and Scratch Bakers. This is a great family day out with street art, live music, wine, beer and kids entertainment.
Shed 10, Queens Wharf, 89 Quay St August 19 $5 entry or free for supervised children
Pilkington's executive chef Des Harris will combine theatre with food at his event Food to Die For. Photo/Supplied
Calling all Cluedo champions - this 'whodunit' dinner event hosted by Pilkington's executive chef Des Harris (ex Clooney) could be just your cup of tea. Harris' combination of theatre and creative cuisine will see dinner guests trying to solve a mystery in which they are all key players, while enjoying food to die for.
Pilkingtons, 41 Shortland St August 14 & 15 $120 per person including a drink on arrival and three courses
