10 of the best chef collabs to look forward to at Visa Wellington On a Plate

Foodies, listen up. Visa Wellington On a Plate is almost here and there's much to savour. Here are 10 of the tastiest chef collaborations you don't want to miss.

What do you get when you combine Depot's Al Brown and Boulcott Street Bistro? What about when you take the best of Melbourne, and add a sprinkle of Wellington's finest? The result? Magic, that's what.

With Visa Wellington On a Plate only a few meals away, give or take, we decided it was high-time to collate this year's unmissable culinary collabs.

Among this year's highlights, Chameleon Restaurant's award-winning Chef de Cuisine Paul Limacher will be joined by Chef Kenny Trinh of Adelaide's well-known Japanese restaurant Shiki, to bring guests a dining experience to remember, while Melbourne's own Dan Hong and Matt Swinhoe will collaborate with the award-winning team at Mr Go's.

On the home-front, Egmont St Eatery will team up with head chef Casey McDonald of Hawke's Bay favourite, Craggy Range, while Anna Hansen, head chef and owner of London’s famed Modern Pantry, will join forces with Amy Gillies, head chef and owner of Wellington’s Brooklyn-based Salty Pidgin, combining their culinary prowess for one sublime offering.

To ensure you're not left with a serious case of foodie FOMO come August, here are 10 mash-ups that you can't afford to miss:

1. Eat up with Al Brown
When: Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th of August, 12.30pm–4pm.
Where: Boulcott Street Bistro.
Price: $195 per person.
Join the mastermind behind the likes of Depot, Logan Brown and Fed Deli for a one-of-a-kind culinary takeover. Chef Al Brown will be behind the tools at Wellington's Boulcott Street Bistro, serving his signature-style cuisine throughout two delicious standalone events. Seasonal, simple and beautifully-prepared, don't risk missing out on your chance to join Al for a delicious afternoon of grazing over a couple of drinks in great company. This one is bound to sell like hotcakes – so be sure to secure your booking right here fast.

2. An Award-Winning Pairing
When: Wednesday 15th – Saturday 18th of August, 6pm–10pm
Where: Chameleon Restaurant, Intercontinental Hotel Wellington.
Price: $165 per person.
Renowned Adelaide chef Kenny Trinh of famed Japanese restaurant Shiki, will join Chameleon Restaurant's award-winning Chef de Cuisine Paul Limacher for an epic celebration of pure feasting. Indulge in a five-course collaboration by the two renowned chefs, paired with local wines. To secure your tickets, see here.

3. Etta in Residence
When: Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd of August, 6pm–8.15pm and 8.30pm–10.30pm.
Where: Floriditas, Cuba Street.
Price: $130 per person.
What do you get when Melbourne meets Wellington? Pure magic, that's what. Join chef Hayden McMillan, of critically-acclaimed Melbourne bistro Etta, for four delicious dinners only, with a ‘leave it to us’ ethos. Etta will be taking over one of our favourite Wellington addresses, Floriditas. Chef Hayden and his team are renowned for harnessing fresh Aussie produce to create seasonally-focused menus and deliver decadent, standout dishes. This is your chance to be front and centre during this unique opportunity to sample the finest Etta creations, using home-grown Kiwi produce. For tickets, see here.

4. Frankie Goes to Wellywood
When: Tuesday 14th of August, 6pm–7.30pm and 8.30pm–10pm, Wednesday 15th of August 8.30pm–10pm.
Where: Logan Brown.
Price: $99 per person.
Move over, Al Brown, there's a new kingpin in town. Join chef Frank Camorra from famed Melbourne restaurant MoVida, as he teams up with the Logan Brown team for two special evenings, during his debut trip to the capital. Enjoy a multi-course menu featuring MoVida’s take on Spanish flavours with a modern twist, alongside Spanish-inspired dishes with from the Logan Brown kitchen. For tickets, visit the website here.

5. Hiakai Hāngi
Where: The Lodge at Shelly Bay
When: Sunday 19th of August, 4.30pm–8.30pm.
Price: $225 per person.
Think traditional hāngi, but not as you know it. Join five top Kiwi and international chefs and gather around the hāngi pit for a unique celebration of Polynesian culture and culinary traditions, passed down through generations. Hiakai, meaning 'hungry' in Te Reo, will offer diners four courses of slow-cooked kai, accompanied by Tutū cider, Kono and Tohu wine, alongside entertainment at dusk, overlooking the glittering Wellington Harbour. Leading the charge is renowned Kiwi chef Monique Fiso, who will joined by fellow Kiwi culinary master Michael Meredith, Los Angeles' Ron Finley, Morgan McGlone of Melbourne and UK chef James Knappett. This one-of-a-kind offering will blow your mind (and delight your tastebuds) while reinventing the way you interpret age-old Maori practice. For more, see here.

6. Hot For Chicken
When: Wednesday 22nd of August, 5pm-10pm.
Where: Visa Festival Hub at Prefab Hall.
Price: Free entry. Pay on consumption.
Chicken-lovers, this one goes out to you. Belles Hot Chicken from Australia will be joined by local culinary favourites Shepherd, craft beer kings Garage Project and Wine Diamonds for this night of lip-smackin’ chicken goodness. Bring all your friends and get stuck in. See here for more.

7. Mr & Ms G’s
When: Monday 20th of August, 5.30pm–7.30pm and 8pm–10pm, Tuesday 21st of August, 5.30pm–7.30pm and 8pm–10pm.
Where: Visa Festival Hub at Prefab Hall.
Price: $90 per person. Drinks on consumption.
Witness the culinary prowess combine as renowned chefs Dan Hong and Matt Swinhoe from Mr Wong and Ms G's to collaborate with the award-winning team at Mr Go's. For two nights only, they'll serve an innovative, boundary-pushing six-course banquet at the Visa Festival Hub, celebrating Asian cuisine. Lock in your tickets right here.

8. Taste of Terrôir
When: Saturday 18th of August, 5.30pm–7.30pm and 8.30pm–10.30pm. Sunday 19th of August, 5.30pm–7.30pm and 8.15pm–10pm.
Where: Egmont Street Eatery.
Price: $140 per person.
Join the team from Egmont Street Eatery and Craggy Range's own chef Casey McDonald for one unforgettable evening. Casey and the Egmont St team will combine foodie philosophies to serve a four-course meal, matched with award-winning Craggy Range wines, highlighting seasonal inspirations from the Terrôir kitchen garden and local suppliers. For tickets, visit here.

9. The Festival of Ostara
When: Tuesday 21st of August, 6pm–8pm, 6.30pm–8.30pm, 7pm–9pm (Bar Seating), 8.15pm–10.15pm, 8.45pm–10.45pm and 9.15pm–11.15pm (Bar Seating).
Where: Salty Pidgin.
Price: $140 for bar seating, $150 for table, per person.
This incredible offering is not to be missed. Join Anna Hansen, head chef and owner of London’s renowned Modern Pantry, and Amy Gillies, head chef and owner of Wellington’s Salty Pidgin, for a delicious four courses matched with lo-fi wines in this highly seasonal feast for the senses. For tickets, see here.

10. Trust the Chef
When: Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th of August, starts every 15 minutes from 6.30pm.
Where: Hippopotamus Restaurant.
Price: $260 per person.
Join chefs Laurent Loudeac (Hippopotamus), Vaughan Mabee and Adam Harrison (both from Queenstown's stunning Amisfield Bistro) as they present eight decadent courses showcasing native flora, fauna and marine life in New Zealand, paired to perfection with Amisfield cellar wines. Combining their passion for seasonal cuisine, this is French gastronomy meets molecular play for an evening you won’t forget. Tickets are on sale right here.

To learn more about Visa Wellington On a Plate, see this year's schedule or to secure your tickets, visit their website here.