The Best of Taste of Auckland

Auckland’s favourite food festival is back for another year, but this time it is shaking things up a little. The gig has outgrown its old home at Victoria Park, and is instead settling into a larger location at Western Springs, so we can expect more crowds, bigger names, and better food. The festival can be overwhelming with the ravenous hoards of people and the seemingly endless stream of eats, so we’ve made it a little easier for you by picking out the ten must eats of Taste Auckland:

10. Harbourside

Harbourside has been around forever. It’s always been good, but is kind of one of those eateries you tend to look over, because it was there when you were born and probably still will be serving up hors d’oevres when you die. But now the place has undergone a serious transformation, and after six months on the operating table, it’s reopened its doors and seafood lovers everywhere are rejoicing. The refurbishment has done wonders to the old soul, and you’d be crazy to miss chef Stuart Rogan’s signature crispy skin terakihi at the event.

9. Cheese Lessons

This sub-event is probably not called cheese lessons, but how excited did you feel reading that title? Despite the name uncertainty, cheese lessons is basically what Whitestone cheese is presenting at the festival. Masterchef judge Ray McVinnie talk is talking through the perfect cheeseboard, and in a collaboration with Scott’s Brewing Co, New Zealand’s first beer cheese is making its first appearance. Beer and cheese. Beer. And. Cheese.

8. Poderi Crisci

All the way from overseas (except actually only the Waiheke Channel) comes Poderi Crisci, The Re d’Italia (King of Italian) from Waiheke Island is gracing the mainland with its very welcome presence. You may recognise the style of cuisine from our Parnell favourite, Non Solo Pizza. The resemblance is no coincidence, since owner Antonio Crisci runs both of the leading Italian eateries.

7. Farina

And to keep Poderi Crisci on their toes, this year the Italian chefs have a little healthy competition. Newcomer Farina are taking a hiatus from their sweet spot in the Pons to bring their A-game to Taste of Auckland. The place has gathered a heap of noise thanks to their yum ciao menu which lets diners eat bite-sized morsels of their best dishes in true yum cha style. Word on the street is they’re bringing plates of freshly made pasta with mushroom and truffle ragu.

6. Grand Opening Gala

A night for Taste of Auckland enthusiasts who want to get amongst the festival righ from the get go, sneak through the doors of Western Springs before the crowds and head along to the Grand Opening Gala. Kicking the event off with the best of the best, Des Harris and Tony Stewart from Clooney, Michael Dearth and Ben Bayly of The Grove and, from Metro’s winning New Zealand eatery Masu, Nic Watt, the first night of Taste will be one to remember.

5. Plumm Wine Theatre

Because what kind of food festival would it be if there was no wine to wash the tasters down with? Matt Skinner, Jamie Oliver’s wine sensei, is running a masterclass where he shares his knowledge on everyone’s favourite bevvie. Matt and the team at Plumm Wine will take aspiring connoisseurs on a wine-filled journey on how to match a wine with the appropriate glassware. Who knew it was even a science?

4. Dilmah Tea Garden

Don’t skip past this section just because it isn't talking about food or alcohol. I almost did the same at the last Taste of Auckland festival and it would've been a huge mistake. Yes, the garden is all about tea, but they pair the cuppa with awesome accompaniments that will give you a whole knew appreciation for tea. And if you’re not convinced yet, they have a mixologist on hand serving tea infused cocktails.

3. Bracu

The problem with Bracu is that it serves incredible food and has a stellar menu, but it is out in the wops. The good news is, once a year, head chef Mikey Newlands descends from his perch upon the Bombays to enlighten central city dwellers as about the cuisine they are missing out on by refusing to travel past the outer ‘burbs. This year Bracu is bringing their highly sought after smoked beef cheeks to the party, and what a party it shall be.

2. Depot

Depot is Auckland’s favourite go-to eatery. If you’re wanting good food, good service and good vibes, Depot is your place. But since we all love it so much, we are all too familiar with the menu and many of us can recite it appetiser to dessert more accurately than we can the national anthem. Well Depot understands this, so they’re bringing a new concept to Taste of Auckland by way of a Raw Bar. They’ll also be dishing up fresh shucked oysters, virgin Mary oyster shots and tuatuas.

1. Chef's Kitchen

All the chefs from the festival get behind the grill and teach us about their favourite recipes and top secret kitchen hacks. Head chefs from The Grove, Masu, The Tasting Shed, Vinnies and more will work their magic in front of your very eyes. Afterwards you’ll be ready to enter Masterchef.

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