What's on at Elemental AKL Festival
Elemental AKL festival launches on October 1, with loads of events and experiences across Auckland celebrating art, music and, of course, food. Events are starting to sell out, already so book quickly to make sure you get a spot.
The October-long festival's line-up features appearances from Ben Bayly, Josh Emett, Michael Van de Elzen and Sid Sahrawat, as well as culinary crawls, farm-to-fork cooking classes, wine tasting, cocktail foraging and behind the scenes experiences and events such as Te Ahi Kōmau, which showcases traditional Polynesian kai and indigenous culture.
Now in its second year, Elemental AKL is run by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) alongside leading events, entertainment, arts and hospitality experts. The festival offers locals and visitors an opportunity to experience the rich and diverse culture and cuisine of Tāmaki Makaurau, as well as delivering a much-needed boost to our events, entertainment, hospitality and arts sectors.
Find out more by clicking here, or scroll down to read about the events.
Foodography Desserts
When: October 1
Where: NZ School of Food and Wine, Viaduct, Auckland 
Kick off Elemental festival by gaining the skills to expertly photograph all the delicious food at Foodography. Foodography celebrates the marriage of food and photography, offering food lovers the opportunity to take mouth-watering pictures of delicious desserts and come away with the ability to apply those skills at restaurants, cafes and food carts alike.
Discover the secrets to taking the best food-photography with a phone, learning lighting techniques and styling tips.
W&F: Perfect Pairs
When: October 3
Where: NZ School of Food and Wine, Viaduct, Auckland
Test your tastebuds and find out which wines pair best with which foods over a five-course tapas menu. You'll enjoy a flight of three New Zealand wines with each course, then select your preferred pairing to sip away at.
Garden of Food Tour and Lunch
When: October 3, 6 & 22
Where: Good From Scratch Cooking School, Muriwai
During the month of October, food fans can set a course for the Van de Elzen’s Good from Scratch Cooking School, where they’ll be offered a delicious morning tea before being led outdoors to learn about the extensive gardens on a tour with with Belinda and head gardener Adrianne. The farm-to-fork event offers people an opportunity to grow their knowledge at one of New Zealand’s leading cookery schools, from starting a worm farm through to composting, there’ll be plenty of time to talk about everything to do with seed-to-table growing.
Taste of the Farm
When: October 8 & 12
Where: Good From Scratch Cooking School, Muriwai
If you hanker for a more rural life, head to Good from Scratch Cookery School’s Muriwai oasis to enjoy a taste of the farm. Renowned chef Michael Van de Elzen and his capable wife Belinda will greet guests with a delicious baked treat, tea or espresso, followed by a tour of the farm and impressive gardens. Split into smaller groups and prepare a component of the day’s menu then enjoy the fruits of your labour at a communal table with gorgeous views.
Spring Forage
When: October 10
Where: NZ Food and Wine School
Join Riki Bennett on Mahinga Kai (garden, cultivation, food-gathering place), an urban foraging adventure to learn how to identify edible plants, leaves and berries. The event by NZ School of Food and Wine will start with a guided walk through the fascinating, food-filled, Auckland Domain as your knowledgeable guide points out edible shrubs and trees that were used in traditional kai. Once back in the classroom, Riki will lead an interactive presentation on the edible plants and trees found on your doorstep, as well as passing on traditional Māori food gathering techniques. In the spirit of manaakitanga, guests will then be invited to share a delicious gourmet lunch featuring local ingredients with a contemporary focus.
Giapo Behind the scenes experience
When: October 10 & 24
Where: Giapo Ice Cream Parlour, CBD
Visit Giapo where innovation elevates the humble ice cream to new creative heights in sculptural desserts by the husband and wife team behind the business, Giapo and Annarosa Grazioli. The experience is ideal for families, friends, or corporate teams from work as Giapo creates delicious and captivating food art for all palates.
Matakana River Tours and Herons Flight
When: October 10 & 11
Where: Matakana
Cruise the river learning about Herons Flight wines and Mahurangi Oysters, with your taste buds leading the way.
Dinner with Friends
When: October 14-15
Where: Sid at the French Cafe, Eden Terrace
Sid Sahrawat will be joined by fellow top chef Ben Bayly at Sid at the French Café, where your exquisitely crafted meal will include canapés and a six-course tasting menu with each chef responsible for an egalitarian half of your mouth-watering morsels.
Click here to book - selling fast.
Winetopia
When: October 30-31
Where: Central Auckland
Immerse yourself in New Zealand’s flourishing wine scene, with more than 50 of our finest local vintners presenting their wares under one roof.
Te Ahi Kōmau - Food, Fire, Festival, Mangere
When: October 30-31. 5:30PM
Where: Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae, Mangere
If you’re a fan of cooking with fire, you’ll want to follow your nose to Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae, to celebrate South Auckland's fiery volcanic past and its legacy of rich soils and amazing produce. The festival kicks-off Friday 30 October at 5.30pm with a delicious hāngi and early access to the Marae Market of Māori entrepreneurs followed by a light show. On Saturday, bring the whole whānau for free, fire-focused food and entertainment. Nourish yourself with a tantalising variety of authentic fire-cooked food including hāngi, umu, mataahi (spit), auahi (smoked) and flame-grilled delicacies. Treat all five senses with fire pits and fire dancing, waiata and kapa haka and take a little something home with you from the Marae Market.
Dumplings on Dominion (event will only go ahead if Auckland is at Covid Alert level 1)
When: November 15
Where: Dominion Road
A Dumpling Festival on Dominion Road. Follow the Trail of Dumplings while enjoying cultural performances and family entertainment.
Street Kai on Takutai (event will only go ahead if Auckland is at Covid Alert level 1)
When: November 13
Where: Takutai Square, Britomart
Gather up your friends and family to celebrate the growing popularity of street food at this one-day food festival in the heart of Auckland City.
Edible Garden at Cordis Auckland
When: October 17
Where: Cordis Auckland
Savour an exquisite selection of savoury and sweet treats that look as good as they taste with this unique Edible Garden experience.
Black Pineapple Foraged Cocktails
When: October 17
Where: Kelmarna Gardens
Join cocktail aficionados Black Pineapple Co. for a very special cocktail foraging adventure. Hosted by Herne Bay’s hidden gem, Kelmarna Gardens, this event promises to be a beautiful marriage of botany and beverages.
Click here to book. Selling fast.
The Butcher and the Brewer
Where: Churly’s, Mt Eden
When: October 17 and 24 (Saturdays)
The perfect marriage of beer and butchery.
Join Hannah Miller Childs, renowned lady butcher, and Andrew Childs, beloved Behemoth brew master, for a morning that matches the perfect partners, beer and butchery. Witness a butchery and curing demo and, if you’re feeling especially confident, you can even volunteer to assist. Learn about these ancient trades, while also discovering more about New Zealand's amazing primary producers.
Click here to book.
Josh Emett Oyster Inn Masterclass
When: October 21 and 28
Where: Oyster Inn, Waiheke
Have Josh Emmett walk you through the process of shucking and preparing oysters at his very own charming Oyster Inn on Waiheke
Reknown chef Josh will be demonstrating how to make three classic oyster dressings as well as a basic batter, so you can take the knowledge home to amaze your oyster fan friends.
Click here to book.
Auckland Farmers’ Markets with…
When: October 10, 18, 24
Where: Matakana Markets, Clevedon Market, Ōtara Market
Visit the Matakana Markets with Lauraine Jacobs on October 10, the Clevedon Market with chef Geoff Scott on October 18 or the Ōtara Market with Rewi Spraggon, on October 14. After visiting the market, enjoy lunch at a local venue.
Click here for more info on the Matakana Markets with Lauraine Jacobs on October 10 | Click here for more info on the Clevedon Market with chef Geoff Scott on October 18 | Click here for more info on the Ōtara Market with Rewi Spraggon
Events on throughout the entire month of October:
Beats and Eats Grey Lynn
When:October 1 - 31
Where: Grey Lynn
Enjoy a signature dish from participating outlets, complemented by musical pop-ups at Pocket Bar, Freida Margolis and Malt Bar.
The Vintry and Matakana Market Kitchen
When: October 1 - 31
Where: Matakana Market Kitchen and The Vintry Wine Bar
Matakana Market Kitchen and The Vintry Wine Bar will be offering Wine and Half a Dozen Matakana Oysters paired with Monarch Estate Rosé on their special’s menu for only $22 for the whole month of October.
Omaha Bay Vineyard (OBV) and Mahurangi Oysters
When: Available from 11am – 4pm on October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18
Where: Omaha Bay Vineyard
Omaha Bay Vineyard and Mahurangi Oysters are teaming up for the first three weekends of October so that visitors and locals can try the wines from this family-owned boutique vineyard and winery alongside the succulent Mahurangi Oysters.
Two other events take place as part of this series, check those out at the event link.
The Sculptureum Story - Art, Food & Wine
When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout October (Matakana)
Where: Sculptureum Matakana
Owners Anthony and Sandra Grant have spent over ten years creating a destination that is designed to unlock the imagination, fuel creativity, and ignite the mind.
To celebrate this gloriously ambitious art destination, they’re hosting The Sculptureum Story.
This inspired culinary event includes access to the sculpture gardens, a gallery tour and a set 3-course meal at Rothko Restaurant with menu delicacies designed by head chef Josh Hazel and inspired by specific Sculptureum artworks.
Elemental Festival Auckland
aucklandnz.com/elementalfestival
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