Sunshine, Seafood and Taste of Auckland
When you head off to a food and wine festival with someone as passionate about New Zealand food, wine and local produce as you, you know there's going to be lots of food talk and even more eating! What wasn't anticipated was just how much seafood would feature on our Taste of Auckland line-up.
As 10am ticked over, the gates opened and everyone turned left to grab their 'crowns and wine glass' but with a fear of missing out on a seat at the table with Marc Soper from Wharekauhau Lodge, we headed straight for Electrolux Chef's Secrets tent to secure our spot for a late lunch (more on this event in another post).
Manuka bark smoked Ora King Salmon, goats cheese, gin, local garden fruits and vegetables
But before lunch there was time to drop in on the guys at Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar where we were delighted to be their 'testers' for the first oyster fritters off the grill for the day... chased down with fresh tuatuas.
Oyster fritters
Freshly shucked Mahurangi oysters
Fresh New Zealand tuatuas
Te Kouma Bay oysters at Fish Restaurant looked oh so tempting.... but how many oysters can one eat in one day.
Fish's Ora King salmon & Te Kouma oysters with dashi whip and coriander
But with clams escargot on our minds we wandered to ParisButter. Thankfully we wanted clams... one person had bought ALL the Dulce de leche creme brulee just after opening!
ParisButter Boys
Clams Escargot,,, clams escargot butter
Of course there is so much more on offer than seafood including cooking demonstrations with Yael from Ima Cuisine in action Friday afternoon...
Yael plating up tasters of her Israeli chicken and rice
Israeli chicken, rice and salad
...local food producers, wineries and more...
Lalele's vegan gourmet popsicles
'Summer' offers us Beekist tomatoes and haloumi
Puhoi Valley's Kawau Blue Cheese
A little sweet indulgence from Scratch Bakers
But you'll need to discover that for yourself... Taste of Auckland runs until Sunday 20 November 2016 with two sessions Saturday, and one Sunday afternoon.
And if you scroll down you'll see a priceless photo of Bri DiMattina Food Adventures.. the moment Bri realised how ridiculous checking her steps was, considering where we had walked and how much we had eaten!
Bri checking her steps
Enjoy your weekend.
Michelle