We came, we saw, we ate in tiny bites. Here’s Thread’s pick of the top 5 best at the Auckland Food Show 2011…
Although it was my first Food Show, I was accompanied by two veteran show-goers; one, a chef. We were very reliant on the foodie skills of Sarah-Jane Gillies, who used to part own Paneton, and worked with Allyson Gofton for many years.
The sheer scale and number of the exhibitors at this year’s show is mind boggling.
For the uninitiated (such as myself), the Food Show is a complete celebration of all things food.
From appliances, to ingredients, to books – and every variation of food in between. It was so vast that we decided to give you our top five exhibitors of the day…
We wouldn’t be a fashion website without mentioning the best fashion for the day… The Kenwood stand had easily the best dressed staff… Stylish and fun all at the same time. Brava!
Even though we have been told that cupcakes may no longer be ‘the next big thing’, we were delighted by the colourful array on offer by Delish Cupcakes. With eye-catching colours and designs, and delivery Auckland-wide, they cater for weddings, christenings, hens nights and virtually everything else in between. We liked that they had plenty of samples for people to try, as some other places were not so generous. If you don’t get to see them at the Foodshow, try them at www.delishcupcakes.co.nz
Heilala Vanilla (pronounced hey-la-la) began as an aid project on the Vava’u Islands in the Kingdom of Tonga. Started as a partnership between a New Zealand family, a plantation was started in 2005.
The vanilla is organically grown, hand pollinated and dried in Tonga. It is then made into a great range of products including vanilla sugar, vanilla beans, and vanilla extract. All of them are gorgeous, but we particularly liked the Heilala Vanilla Paste, winner of both the Cuisine Artisan Awards and the NZ Food awards, and the heavenly Heilala Vanilla Syrup. Perfect for the baker/caker in the family that loves using the best ingredients. Find them at the foodshow and at www.heilalavanilla.com
Easily the most fun story of the day is the brand new Hot Samoan Boys Chilli Sauce. I dare you to google that and see what comes up! With a slickly designed box and packaging, not to mention the HOT tee-shirts of the lovely men handing out the product – it is not a sauce you can easily forget, and that is even before you actually TRY the sauce itself.
Eye wateringly tasty, with a great kick to it – this is also a product with a great story. It started out as an opportunity to provide employment in their local Samoan community and has become a local hero story in the process. You can’t miss the stand, and once you try it, you won’t forget it either! For more on the product and the project, go to www.hotsamoanboys.co.nz or go see for yourself at the Food Show.
We all often dream of a little orchard or olive grove away from the hustle and bustle of auckland, and Michael and Leanne Chinnery of Birkenhead have that with their own piece of paradise out at Mangawhai Heads.
There they grow olives and produce Divinity Olive Oils. But they also do a remarkable Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar which we thought was just fantastic. Amazing in salads and sauces, but maybe just best as a sublime dipping sauce. Go get some at www.divinity.co.nz
And we kept the most interesting thing for last. Manuka Smoked Eggs – yes, that what we said. Eggs. Smoked. With Manuka. And they are fresh and ready to use. They come blackened on the top from the smoking process, giving them an unusual look. We tried samples of them, and our resident chef was so impressed that she took some home! The New Zealand Manuka Egg Company are on the menu at Langham Hotel here in Auckland. For stockists check out their website www.nzmanukaeggs.co.nz. You will be able to order online shortly.
Megan meets Fredge.
We came. We saw. We nibbled. A foodie fabulous day was had by all!
Words Anya Brighouse and Sarah-Jane Gillies
Photographs Megan Robinson using Casio EXH30BK
28 July 2011
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