The latest from the 2013 National Restaurant Association Show in Chica…
By Nicola Richards, Monsoon Poon, Auckland. The 94th Annual National Restaurant Association Show was held May 18-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago. With 2000 exhibitors, Education sessions, a World Culinary showcase, Innovation Awards, a Technology pavilion, and thousands of products & services – this was a daunting but very exciting event to attend. Read more
Peter Gordon’s The Sugar Club opening at Sky Tower
SkyCity Auckland has announced the return of a restaurant classic to the top floors of the Sky Tower - The Sugar Club, the creation of world-renowned chef Peter Gordon. With arguably the best views in Auckland, The Sugar Club is due to open any day now at Level 53 of the Sky Tower. Read more
Whitestone Butter by Al Brown
The emerging New Zealand artisan butter market has expanded with the release of Whitestone Butter by Al Brown. The iconic Whitestone Cheese and well-known chef and restaurateur Al Brown have collaborated to launch three terrific tasting butters; Salted, Unsalted and Manuka Smoked, freshly churned from premium North Otago cream. Read more
Te Puia’s Steambox serves up a taste of the past
Iconic New Zealand tourism attraction, Te Puia, has cooked up a unique new product experience that is giving visitors a real taste of the past. The new Steambox experience utilises a favourite Ngā Whā (Steam vent) Puapua, which is located in Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, backdrop to the world famous Pohutu Gesyer. READ MORE Visitors choose what they want for their lunch, which is then cooked in the traditional steam vent, while they have a special guided tour of Te Puia and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Read more
Japanese buy New Zealand liquor retailer
Asahi-owned Independent Liquor have announced their purchase of The Mill liquor retail chain. The purchase price of the 35-store chain has not been disclosed, and the company says it intends to franchise the stores sometime in the future. Independent’s chief executive, Julian Davidson says the move has been made to reduce the influence of producer-owned liquor outlets on the company’s brands. Read more
Ducasse and the Kiwi connection
By Keith Stewart “If there’s a professor of international haute cuisine, its Alain Ducasse,” says one of his ‘graduates’, Geoff Scott of Vinnies in Auckland. “And if there was such a thing as a PhD in haute cuisine, you would do it at Ducasse.” Ducasse’s legendary Le Louis XV restaurant at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco has for most of its 25 years maintained Michelin three-star standards and is acknowledged as one of the greats of French cuisine. It was there that Scott went last year to a celebration of a quarter century under Alain Ducasse, with 240 chefs from around... Read more
Young New Zealand Chef Goes Wild
Award-winning executive chef Mark Harman continues to tempt and thrill tastebuds with the latest from his signature SEASONS Gourmet™ range - Wild Mushroom and Truffle Oil Soup. This soup brings an array of earthy natural flavours from a selection of Portobello and delicate wild mushrooms infused with the richest of mascarpone and finished with a light dash of white truffle oil for that lovely aroma and true touch of class that you can taste. Read more
Backpacker support for accommodation sector concerns
There is support from backpacker operators for Motel Association of New Zealand (MANZ) concerns about the impact rented holiday homes and apartments are having on the commercial accommodation sector. YHA Chief Executive Mark Wells has joined with MANZ to highlight the downstream effects of easy accessibility through on-line advertising to private accommodation on the visitor economy contributing to an oversupply of accommodation. “There needs to be more of a level playing field,” says Mr Wells. Read more
Becks tries singing packaging
International lager brand, Becks, has turned to singing packaging to boost its sales. The company has released the first music playing bottle, in keeping with its promotional activities linking the brand to popular music. The Beck’s Edison Bottle is an analogue device, with the music carved directly on to the surface of a Beck’s beer bottle. The bottle is named after the inventor of the phonograph, Thomas Edison. Read more
Waiheke vineyard the latest to go on the block
Waiheke vineyard, Obsidian is for sale. Owner, Lindsay Spillman says after 17 years in the wine business, it’s time to move on. The journey since 1996 has been remarkable, and has seen many changes and advancements in the company and its wines, he says. “The decision to sell has not been taken lightly, but we look forward to securing a new owner who will continue the journey and take Obsidian to even greater heights.” Obsidian is best known for its red wines, with the vineyard mix decidedly fruit salad in its range of eight red and three white varieties. Its cabernet... Read more