'Hospo' superstars join hospitality show line-up

With only 30 days to go, some of the hospitality industry’s superstars have agreed to join the line-up for the Restaurant & Bar Show starting on August 19.

In addition to the stellar line-up announced in May, organisers Brand Events & Festivals have been successful in attracting leading pastry chef and chocolatier Oliver Drayton and a range of liquor industry and food experts.

Drayton is probably New Zealand’s top pastry chef and at the show is sharing his secrets for making perfect desserts in a Masterclass.

He has worked at a number of Michelin-starred restaurants and hotels in London and most recently was head pastry chef at Braçu restaurant. With a passion for chocolate, he was placed second in the UK nationals of the World Chocolate Masters competition in 2008 and won the Chocolatiers Choice award.

Also added to the programme are free seminars featuring hospitality industry superstars such as Luke Dallow (Chapel & Red Hummingbird), Ben Stuart & Calum Chadwick (Beam), Danny Schuster & Dave Batten (wine experts), Tomas Vikario (Monin) and Frankie Walker (Lion).

Meat genius Dave Porter from Harmony Foods joins the line-up demonstrating modern ‘head-to-tail’ techniques - how to use an entire pig - in a butchery masterclass. Porter then demonstrates the best way to cook each cut.

A further innovation is a mini farmers market showcasing some of the most interesting and lesser known products available to chefs.

The Restaurant & Bar Show is being held over the weekend of August 19 and 20 at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds.

The event is a huge networking opportunity for experienced professionals and emerging stars from the hospitality industry and suppliers to the industry.

The event features the New Zealand Latte Art Championship, the hotly contested Bar Masters sponsored by Monin, and the Stella Artois Draught Masters competition.

As well as seeking professional support at the Restaurant Association’s Business Hub and socializing in the Illy Cafe Showcase, there are a host of inspirational attractions on offer for guests.

Monica Galetti of the highly acclaimed Le Gavroche restaurant in London (2 Michelin stars), who is also a judge on MasterChef The Professionals, shares her skills in the Telecom Master Classes while local chef Michael Meredith lets local chefs in on how to ‘Keep it real’ in the kitchen.

The Wine Showcase features a selection of well-known wine companies such as Lion and Mac Vine International alongside smaller, boutique wineries. Tickets can be purchased for $20 and visitors get to taste a wide variety of New Zealand wines and meet the wine makers.

Taking place alongside the Restaurant & Bar Show is the Culinary Fare. It is the hospitality industry’s showcase three-day competition featuring 60 events and around 1,000 competitors. It provides opportunities for the industry and the pubic to watch the best in action and see the rising stars compete for medals and national titles.

Registration is free and is open now via the show website www.randbshow.co.nz. Also join us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/randbshow or follow us on twitter @BEFestivals