A Guide to Eating and Drinking in August
August is for eating, or so the many food related events taking place across the country this month would suggest. Here's our round up of some of the best!
In the Northern Hemisphere, the grim depths of winter are embraced and transformed by the warming Christmas celebrations that interjet half-way through . In New Zealand, we don't have as good an excuse to indulge thoroughly mid-winter, though this is slowly starting to change thanks to increasingly innovative and in turn popular food events and festivals.
Some of the festivities have already kicked off, with Auckland Restaurant Month in the Heart of the City launching last week, but there are still plenty of amazing events to catch over the next three weeks across the country.
Auckland
LATE: The Cult of Food
Jesse Mulligan chairs a panel of experts in a discussion on topics centered around New Zealand's food culture. Hear from chef and restaurateur Al Brown, AUT Professor of Public Health Grant Schofield, Anne Thorp from the popular TV series Kai Ora and Rod Jackson, Professor of Epidemiology at The University of Auckland. The talk will be followed by a demonstration and talk from Megan May of the Little Bird Unbakery.
11th August, 6pm, Auckland Museum Events Centre. Tickets $20 ($10 for members). For more info and to puchase tickets click here.
Wine Auckland
Sample your way around the country's vineyards, all under one roof at the Viaducts Event centre. Attend seminars on all manner of subjects relating to wine and sample food from the Wine Auckland pop-up restaurant.
August 16th from 12-3pm and 4-7pm and August 17th from 2-6pm. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 on the door, and include your first five tastings and a wine guide. For more info, click here.
Street Eats
On Saturday 23rd August, Shed 10 will fill with the aromas of delicious street food from the finest of the city's vendors. Family friendly and totally free, this is a lovely way to spend a Saturday.
August 23rd 10.30am - 8pm, Shed 10, Britomart. For more info, click here.
Wellington
Symphonic Feast
If music is the food of love, then this is set to be a very romantic evening. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra joins Wairarapa's Palliser Estate Wines for a spectacular evening of music and wine, matched with a four course menu designed by Nick Arnold of Cafe Medici.
31st August, 6pm-10pm, Palliser Estate Wines of Martinborough Barrel Hall, Kitchener St, Martinborough. Tickets cost $195, booking essential. Click here for more info.
Beervana
A two day celebration of beer, Beervana can be thought of as a 'beer conference' for lovers of craft beer. 200 different varieties from both New Zealand and Australia are on offer to taste, alongside a range of delicious pop-up food stalls - from House of Dumplings to General Practitioner and Grill Meats Beer. Book your place at one of the many beer related seminars to learn about everything from beer and cheese matching to choosing the perfect glass.
Friday 22 & Saturday 23 August 2014, Westpac Stadium. Tickets available at ticketek.co.nz.
Bees in the City
Wholesale Boot Company (WBC) presents a masterclass on urban beekeeping from their master beekeeper followed by an inspection of their city hives. Enjoy a three course lunch featuring honey gathered freshly from these urban hives. This delicious lunch will be accompanied by beverages specifically chosen to compliment the menu.
20th - 22nd August, 12pm - 3pm and 27th - 29th August, 12-3pm, WBC, Upstairs, 107 Victoria St. Tickets cost $125. Click here for more info.
Gala Fundraiser Dinner for Christchurch Art Gallery
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Featuring British chefs Fergus and Margot Henderson, this promises to be an absolutely wonderful evening of food and art, with the aim of launching a new vision for Christchurch Art Gallery and the city's collection as it gets closer to opening. On the night, five courses will be matched with wine, which will be followed by an auction of 13 unique items, with all proceeds going towards a remarkable work of art for the gallery.
16th August, 6.30pm, Christchurch City Council Foyer. For more information click here
Elsewhere
The Hundred Foot Journey
The Hundred Foot Journey is a sweet and gentle film centred around the tale of an Indian family's relocation to a sleepy town in the south of France. When they decide to open a restaurant opposite a famous Michelin-starred eatery, tensions are stirred, until Le Saule Pleureur's icy proprietress, Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), recongises her rival's undeniable brilliance for preparing cuisine.
In cinemas nationwide from 14th August.
latest issue:
Issue #114
Autumn has arrived, and with it, the latest issue of dish, jam-packed with recipes that will have you fizzing to get in the kitchen! With a long Easter lunch featuring perfectly pink, blushing roast leg of lamb and wildly decadent baked mashed potatoes with caramelised onions, to simply scrumptious chocolate treats and sensational seasonal baking this issue has you covered - we reckon the Hot Cross Buns are our best yet! Salads make way for soothing soups, pies, puddings and our cover star beef cheek ragù with spaghetti – a must-make dinner for family and friends. With over 60 recipes in our latest issue there’s plenty of inspiration to keep you busy – and well-fed! Don’t forget to share your dish dishes with our Facebook community.