A sensory extravaganza - taste these highlights

Curtis Stone and Ben O'Donoghue

In addition to exploring more than 300 exhibitor products and enjoying show specials, visitors to The Food Show can ready themselves for great day out, as they have in the past.

"We come up every year for The Food Show,'' say Don and Sue from Rotorua. "We make a full day of it and always take part in at least one wine education class. By the time we leave, our bags are bursting full of new products to try.''

Show organiser Dona White says the event offers "a total entertainment experience''.

Be sure you don't miss any of these unique features:

Sneak Preview
For an exclusive, be at the Preview Day on August 4 from 2pm-8pm.

A new event on The Food Show calender, this session is designed for VIPs, media, trade representatives and die-hard foodies who want a more leisurely look at the delights of the show, including the Celebrity Chef sessions and Electrolux kitchen theatre.

Culinary stars
Hot on the list is the biggest ever lineup of local and international celebrity chefs, all set to demonstrate their individual techniques.  Demonstrations will be at the Logan Campbell Centre, enabling an absolutely professional  show that will be more enjoyable due to a better view of the action.

THE LINEUP...

Curtis Stone and Ben O' Donoghue

Surfing the Menu, now a major TV series with two books, was first filmed for the ABC in 2003 and has been shown in 26 countries. Stone and O'Donoghue have also starred in other television series and worked at some of the finest restaurants in the UK and Australia. Both write regular food columns and love surfing.

Julie Le Clerc

Through her background as a chef, café owner, boutique caterer, food writer and author of nine cookbooks, Le Clerc has gained a reputation for creating stylish food and  great flavours. She now lives an enviable life filled with travelling, tasting, cooking, eating and writing about food as food editor of the NZ Herald's Wednesday Viva section and for Cuisine magazine.

Ruth Pretty

Author of three bestselling cookbooks, Pretty is at the helm of Ruth Pretty Catering and Ruth Pretty Cooking School. She also writes a weekly food column for the Dominion Post, is a feature writer for Cuisine magazine, and often shares her recipes on  radio and on television. She combines her passion for food, presentation flair and sense of style and drama so people can  have fun with food.

Kylie Kwong

Kwong is one of Australia's best-known chefs. Her first TV programme, Heart and Soul, coincided with the release of her second book of the same title, which has sold the world. Kwong's first book, Recipes & Stories, was published in 2003 and she is working on her third (Simple Chinese Cooking), which is due to be released in Australia and NZ in 2006. She is also filming her new series, as well as managing her award-winning restaurant, Billy Kwong.

Bill Granger

With three successful Sydney restaurants and  several best sellers, Granger is renowned for cooking sensational simple food. He has a regular column in Australia's Delicious magazine, a food segment on ABC Radio, and is a regular contributor to the BBC's Olive and Good Food magazines. His debut television series, Bill's Food has sold to 19 countries. 

Vic Williams

Vic is Cellar Director for the NZ Wine Society and NZ wine consultant for Cathay Pacific Airways He is a Food and wine writer for The Aucklander and author for 10 years of the Penguin New Zealand Wine Guide. In addition he is the Wine and food editor of the Wine, Food & Art book series and co-author, with Julie Le Clerc, of The Vineyards of New Zealand Cookbook.

Belinda Jackson

Consultant to a variety of wine producers, Jackson's wine journey began in Bordeaux in 1986 where she discovered her life's passion. She has worked across Europe and NZ in all aspects of the trade, including selling, buying, educating, marketing and making wine. Jackson shares her unique experience and knowledge in relaxed, informative and often humourous sessions.

Ray McVinnie

An experienced food stylist, McVinnie is the food editor of Cuisine magazine and has won the New Zealand Guild of Food Writers Visual Award. He has a long-time passion for food and has been a judge for the Corbans Wine and Food Challenge.

...AND MORE

While celebrity chefs add interaction, entertainment and zest to The Food Show, destination experiences including Hawkes Bay and Marlborough add intrigue.

Events will extend to also appeal to a younger audience, and get people ready for some inspirational cooking.