Local, seasonal produce to be showcased at this year's Hunter's Garden Marlborough Festival

Now in its nineteenth year, Hunter’s Garden Marlborough is one of the longest-standing gardening events of its kind in New Zealand, embracing all things botanical and celebrating nature in all its glory. Part of that celebration is the recognition of the close bond between the soil and produce grown for the table, something that this year’s guest chef Ruth Pretty champions.

Ruth’s home and cooking school boasts a large salad and herb garden and situated in the midst of the market gardens of Te Horo, is well placed to cater the freshly picked local and seasonal produce at the heart of Ruth Pretty’s food, with many suppliers growing products to her specification. The global trend of artisan foods, telling the stories of the food we eat and who produces it, has always been part of Ruth’s own culinary story, “Artisan food is about creativity, it’s about caring for the person who eats our food, and it's about the ingredients we use and the environments they come from."

And it is a philosophy that’s shared with Hunter’s Garden Marlborough’s premium gold sponsor, New Zealand King Salmon. Now in their second year of supporting the event NZ King Salmon is a key sponsor for the annual Friday night chef demonstration, and were instrumental in securing Ruth as guest presenter in 2012.

NZ King Salmon CEO Grant Rosewarne says the company is proud to support an event that celebrates the diversity of the region’s flora and fauna.

“Here at NZ King Salmon, we acknowledge our responsibility to treasure and protect the natural environment and we work extremely hard to do so.

“As a substantial employer and a business that supports a range of causes within the community we are very much focused on sustainable growth,” Mr Rosewarne says.

“We are also pleased to have the talented Ruth Pretty on board for a special chef demonstration. Ruth’s always been a fan of our Marlborough salmon and she’ll be able to show local foodies how to make the most of their region’s celebrated produce”

Ruth loves to share her enthusiasm for food and entertaining and is a popular presenter with audiences of all ages. She is a regular contributor to radio and television programmes, and since 1999 has her own column in the Dominion Post Weekend magazine section.

Tickets to Ruth’s demonstration on Friday 9 November cost $50 per person and include a glass of Hunter’s Wines (NZ) and canapés on arrival. Ruth and her team will be at the Stihl Shop Garden Fete on 11 November, a popular event attracting more than 6,000 people to the immaculate gardens of Seymour Square in central Blenheim. Ruth’s site will be a cook's treasure trove for great gifts and kitchen equipment she has personally tried and tested to ensure they are practical and will stand up to hard usage. Admission to the fete is free of charge.

Hunter’s Garden Marlborough runs from 8 – 11 November 2011. Tickets on sale at www.gardenmarlborough.com