Fine food and great wine and all for a very good cause

Anthony Joynes, (left) and Kory Ashby from Palazzo Roma prepare their dishes, and (right inset) Judy Bailey at the Vintners Brunch yesterday. Pictures / Richard Robinson

Roast lamb and perhaps a cup of tea to follow was once all part of a traditional Sunday lunch for New Zealanders.

But now things are a bit more sophisticated and yesterday, roast pork belly with green mango, chilli and peanut salsa washed down with a Goldwater Zell Waiheke Island Chardonnay 2004 was on the menu at a charity fundraiser.

The Vintners Brunch at the Carlton Hotel catered for 400 people who got to sample signature dishes of a dozen top Auckland restaurants with wines carefully selected to match each dish.

With an auction and raffle, the proceeds from the regular fundraiser go to the North Shore Hospice.

Canapes were served followed by entree-sized portions of nine mains with dessert and cheese to follow and the diners got to vote for the best food and wine match.

Food and wine critic Vic Williams hosted the event which was expected to raise about $60,000.

The restaurants were Orbit (Sky Tower), O'Connell Street Bistro, Molten, No. 5, Harbourside, Palazzo Roma, Bella, Katsura, Toto, Sails, and The Shed with Kapiti Fine Foods providing cheese.

The wineries were Lincoln, Babich, Coopers Creek, Wither Hills, Nobilo, Kumeu River, Villa Maria, Matua Valley, Goldwater and Te Motu Wines.