A Taste of Excellence

Calling all foodies! Here's how you can be in with the chance to cook with some of the best chefs during intimate masterclasses at Taste of Auckland.

WHEN: November 1-4

WHERE: Taste of Auckland, Queens Wharf

TICKETS: $15 (sessions limited to 16 guests so tickets allocated on a first come, first served basis)

Electrolux is giving foodies the chance to cook with some of the best chefs in the business during intimate masterclasses at the Electrolux Chefs’ Secrets at Taste of Auckland.

Taking place for the first time at Queens Wharf on Auckland’s waterfront, the Electrolux Chefs’ Secrets custom-built designer kitchen and dining space boasts an impressive line-up including Lesley Chandra (Sid at the French Café), Nobu Lee (Clooney), Jason Kim (Sidart), Gareth Stewart (Euro), Nishant Arora (Cassia), Dariush Lolaiy (Cazador), Man Mohan Singh (1947) and Neil Brazier.

Food personality and celebrated sommelier Meg Abbott-Walker will return to host the interactive sessions where guests will learn how to prepare one of the chefs’ signature dishes, while picking up hints, tips and techniques from their cooking heroes. Then after the hands-on masterclass, you can sit and enjoy the meal with a glass of matched te Pā wine.

Taking guests on a culinary journey of progressive Indian flavours married with contemporary cooking techniques, Jason Kim from Sidart will be preparing Goan style fish. Other dishes include Big Glory Bay salmon, spring peas, sheep’s curd and roast chicken skin from Euro, hapuka with winter radish and butter sauce from Clooney, pan roasted snapper with coconut, kokam and parsnip from Cassia, and Nawabi Aloo from 1947.

Showcasing one of their most popular dishes – ash coated roasted venison, cauliflower, cherry and anchovy, Cazador’s Dariush Lolaiy says he hopes people leave feeling inspired to experiment with new recipes, ingredients and cooking methods and with the confidence to try something new in the kitchen.

Clooney’s Nobu Lee is looking forward to participating. “At Clooney we are all about New Zealand seasonal ingredients and connecting with producers and our clients, so Electrolux Chefs’ Secrets is an amazing opportunity to showcase what we have in New Zealand and what we do here at Clooney.”

Says Gareth Stewart from Euro, “I am excited to have the opportunity to work closely with people and share my secrets and show how easy it is to produce beautiful food. I will be showcasing Big Glory Bay salmon and using some of my favourite seasonal ingredients.”

Festival director Rob Eliott says, “After 10 years in the making, this year's festival will be very special. Taking place on Auckland's CBD waterfront this will be a city food celebration like Auckland has never seen before!

“Electrolux Chefs’ Secrets remains one of the most popular, intimate cooking experiences at all Taste Festivals and we have an outstanding lineup this year’s Taste of Auckland. I’m excited for guests to get up-close-and-personal with the country’s culinary superstars, cook delicious food and create some memorable experiences,” says Mr Eliott.

Tickets include a welcome cocktail, masterclass experience, meal, glass of wine and sweet treat. Be sure to arrive early to secure your place.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Our friends at Taste of Auckland are offering dish readers VIP tickets to selected weekend sessions for just $75 (normally $95). Choose from Session 4 (Saturday November 3, 12-4pm), Session 5 (Saturday November 3, 5.30-9.30pm) or Session 6 (Sunday November 4, 12-5pm), limited to the first 50 tickets. To secure your ticket, click here and enter the code BUBBLES at the checkout.

Click here to book your place!