The biggest culinary festival in the Southern Hemisphere, Visa Wellington on a Plate returns to the capital this August.
Running over five weekends across the region, this year’s festival celebrates all things ‘Out of Place’, featuring exciting pop-ups, chef collaborations, culinary classes and art and food experiences.
With over 130 events over 31 days, there’s plenty to tempt food-lovers, ranging from cheap eats to luxury experiences. We round up our favourite events from this year’s programme.
A Midsummer Night’s Feast
Get swept up in the world of fairies and mischief at a three-course meal at Hippopotamus that’s inspired by the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s upcoming production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The magical night features ballet dancers, characters in costume and music from the show, with an enchanting menu of herb-crusted venison carpaccio, Ōra King salmon with kina and egg custard and pāua tortellini and a decadent surprise dessert.
Current Mood: Current Food
Chef Max Gordy partners with The Sensonauts for a fresh take on the immersive, multi-sensory experience that’s “somewhere between a dinner party and a show.”
The five-course dinner with matched drinks takes diners on a curated journey, with each plate designed to evoke a different emotion, as live music, lighting and decor shifts around you.
An Evening of Gin and Jazz
Head to the residence of the British High Commissioner for An Evening of Gin and Jazz. Situated in the heart of Karori, guests are greeted at the residence with signature cocktails and live Jazz entertainment before sampling curated selection of gins and canapes.
Hillside Forage
Tag along with the Hillside team and go foraging at their secret Wellington location, where you’ll learn about how to pick food that grows in the wild. Return to Hillside for a four-course meal made with the very ingredients you helped source.
Billecart-Salmon Champagne Heli-Lunch
Sure to be one of the most memorable events at Visa WOAP, this event treats guests to a try luxury escape at one of the most desirable lodge’s in the country.
Depart Wellington on a helicopter and marvel over the ranges before landing at the Wharekauhau Country Estate where you’ll enjoy a five-course, long-table degustation lunch, paired with Billecart-Salmon champagne.
Kitchen Confidential: An Anthony Bourdain Tribute Dinner
Café Polos pays tribute to one of the most beloved food and travel heroes, the late Anthony Bourdain.
The four-course dinner celebrates the life of this original foodie influencer, with a selection of dishes that pay homage to Bourdain’s travels around the world and culinary life.
Le Cercle Noir
Guests are invited to wear black to this three-night event, which celebrates life, death, wine and food.
Shepherd bring their restaurant into Hannah’s Laneway for the darkness-focussed event, feature an inventive four-course meal and wine matches from NZ biodynamic winemakers.
Surrealist Supper
Step into the dream-liked world of Surrealist art at Te Papa’s Surrealist Supper.
Enjoy a beautiful three-course meal with drink pairings in the magical museum before being led by lead curator Lizzie Bisley on an after-hours tour through Te Papa’s new exhibition, Surrealist Art: Masterpieces from museum Boijmans Van Beuningen.
Underground, Overground
Go underground to New Zealand’s first urban farm, Shoots for a five-course degustation.
Located in an old nightclub in Wellington city, Shoots treats guests to a menu that showcases the versatility of microgreens, paired with Garage Project Beers, Wag & Co wines and even some surprise microgreen-infused drinks.
