Eat.Taste.Central: A month-long foodie’s delight begins in Central Otago

Eat.Taste.Central: A month-long foodie’s delight begins in Central Otago
The third annual Eat.Taste.Central event gets underway on September 20, celebrating all things tasty and delectable in New Zealand's Central Otago region.

Eat.Taste.Central: Celebrating the flavours of Central Otago

For the next month, local cafes, restaurants and cellar doors across the region will be collectively producing their own Central Otago Regional Menus.

Central Otago grows some of the world’s finest flavours and produce.

Think soft buttery walnuts, pure thyme honey, creamy cheeses and peppery olive oil. All washed down with a lovingly crafted local beer or sampled with a boutique Central Otago wine.

Head to Five Stags restaurant for a Cardrona shank of lamb slow cooked in Central Otago red wine, served with roast seasonal vegetables and a minted jus.
Head to Five Stags restaurant for a Cardrona shank of lamb slow-cooked in Central Otago red wine, served with roast seasonal vegetables and a minted jus.

The annual food and wine experience runs from September 20 through until 28 October.

Campaign manager Antz Longman says the regions local cafés, restaurants and cellar doors have been really creative with their interpretations of this year’s theme ‘Heritage Flavours, inspired by tradition’.

Tastes of This Land at Scott Base offers delicious individual tapas boards served with a matching Scott Base wine flight, showcasing the wines and delicacies from this land, matched for maximum enjoyment.
Tastes of This Land at Scott Base offers delicious individual tapas boards served with a matching Scott Base wine flight, showcasing the wines and delicacies from this land, matched for maximum enjoyment.

“We have a record 65 dishes and events on offer throughout the promotional period,” Longman says.

There will be a mix of options to suit taste buds across five categories:

  • Tapas & Shared Plates
  • Burger & Sandwich Challenge
  • Pie Challenge
  • Main Meal
  • Sweet & Dessert

Many of these dishes are matched to local Central Otago wines, beers, juices and also cocktails. The public can vote online for their favourite menu items.

The overall winners from the top five People’s Choice dishes in each category will be chosen by a judging panel including MiNDFOOD’s Michael and Michelle McHugh.

“Some of the best dining experiences in the country are within Central Otago”, says MiNDFOOD’s Editor-in-Chief Michael McHugh.

“I’m really looking forward to tasting great local ingredients matched with local wines and beers, that complement perfectly. Last year was such a high standard I’m keen to see what the locals have in store for us this year.”

The Blondie Platter at The Wooing Tree includes two glasses of the famous Wooing Tree Blondie with a deliciously matched platter including in-house hot smoked salmon, local cheese selection, homemade lavosh, crackers, quince paste, candied walnuts and fruits.
The Blondie Platter at The Wooing Tree includes two glasses of the famous Wooing Tree Blondie with a deliciously matched platter including in-house hot smoked salmon, local cheese selection, homemade lavosh, crackers, quince paste, candied walnuts and fruits.

A range of food, wine and heritage-themed events will also be on offer.

These include a Pie & Pint night at Highlands in Cromwell, a ‘Central Mexico’ three-course meal at Amigos in Alexandra, and special exhibition highlighting the history of the Nevis Valley at the Courthouse Café.

Several key annual spring events will take place during the period including the Alexandra Blossom Festival, Across the Bridge in Bannockburn, the Cromwell Street Party and Fireworks, Cromwell Half Marathon and Alexandra New Release Wine event.

The growth in the Eat.Taste.Central event has also been supported by a continued relationship with MiNDFOOD, and new collaborations with several businesses and organisations from inside and outside the region.

Head to the Central Otago NZ and Eat.Taste.Central Facebook and Instagram pages for information on meals and events, and for opportunities to win prizes.

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