NZ's winning MasterChefs celebrate Marlborough at Wine & Food Festival

It could be how you’d define Foodie nirvana: a day with New Zealand’s three MasterChef winners.

And that’s what’s in prospect for visitors to next year’s Marlborough Wine & Food Festival.

MasterChef winners Brett McGregor, Nadia Lim and Chelsea Winter have signed on for the Top of the South’s renowned one-day celebration of all things food and wine.

It will be the first time the feted cooks have cooked together in Marlborough so it’s a great opportunity for food lovers to learn from three of the nation’s most celebrated chefs.

The festival on February 9 is introducing a new Culinary Pavilion supported by local producer NZ King Salmon to host demonstrations by the TV cooks.

Brett, Nadia and Chelsea are scheduled for individual demonstrations to give audiences their top tips on working with the fresh, delicious regional fare Marlborough is renowned for.

“I’ve never even been to Marlborough,” says Chelsea. “I’m really excited about the prospect as I hear it’s beautiful and of course it is home to the nation’s top salmon and well known for its amazing produce.

“I love cooking with King salmon, it has so many health benefits and is very versatile with a great texture. And I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m also looking forward to sampling some great local wines too.”

Brett – the winner of the inaugural MasterChef title – says he’s honoured to work with Nadia and Chelsea who he says are both very talented.

“I’m preparing by cooking as many salmon dishes as I can. It is always good to demo things that people may have never seen.”

New Zealand King Salmon is one of three partners sponsoring the Culinary Pavilion at the annual one-day festival that celebrates all that is good about Marlborough’s fine wines and fresh produce.

It’s New Zealand’s original and longest running festival and is held at the first home of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Brancott Vineyard.

If you have a ticket to the festival, the Culinary Pavilion is free to enter and it’s the home of food-friendly wines and very much a focus on the region’s stunning cuisine.

In addition to the three MasterChefs, announcements of other celebrity chefs attending the festival will take place later in the year.

Elsewhere at the festival there’s a new more intimate setting called the Festival Quarter where a number of small and boutique wineries display their products for tasting. A Local Heroes area features some of the region’s gourmet produce and late release wines.

Visit the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival at http://www.marlboroughwinefestival.co.nz/.
Tickets are available from www.ticketek.co.nz and iSite centres in Blenheim and Picton.