The taste of Auckland Line-up is complete!

Taste of Auckland is proud to announce that the restaurant line-up for 2012 is now complete with the exciting addition of Mt Eden icon, Molten Restaurant.

Molten Head Chef Rob Richardson will be delighting Taste attendees with three spectacular tapas-style dishes to round off the stellar line-up of some of the country’s best restaurants.

The Molten morsels begin with roasted harissa, and rubbed half spatchcock with green olive tabouleh, courgette, and sesame bread sauce. Follow that with a slow roasted savannah short rib with white anchovy, eggplant puree, new season peas, lemon and fior di latte. Finishing up this decadent mini-feast is a spring dish of fresh Kumeu strawberries and buffalo yoghurt panacotta, brandy snap, pistachio and mint.

This delicious trio of dishes truly compliments the huge variety and ranging tastes of mini meals being prepared by some of the country’s leading chefs for Taste of Auckland foodies.
Also joining the line-up is Toto, with chef Sergio Maglione showcasing the restaurant's Italian heritage with three Italian inspired meals, including a Rotolo of spinach pasta with smoked mozzarella, buffalo ricotto, pinenut and marinated in a tomato salsa.

Likewise, Poderi Crisci head chef and uncle to Sergio - Antonio Crisci is creating a mini Italian feast of beautiful Cannelloni of confit duck, wild mushroom, porcini sauce, parmesan and truffle oil.

Iconic Auckland restaurant Kermadec Fine will surely delight with a decadent dessert, a Nayarit milk chocolate balloon which includes a Sambirano Chocolate Cremoso, combining the flavors of cocoa powder and green pepper brick pastry, balsamic dressed poached strawberries and polenta crumbs.

Mandy Lusk from High Street’s legendary Vivace will have three unique dishes this year that are a take on the restaurants original 1992 menu - reworked with a 2012 twist to celebrate Vivace’s 20th anniversary!

Des Harris from Clooney has created a truly delectable Taste of Auckland menu that includes a Razor back pig belly with apple, celery and toasted faro.

Eugene Hamilton and Simon Gault from Euro Restaurant and Bar will treat Taste guests to a special crab and prawn dish, complete with jalapeño crème fraiche sauce, tobiko and tuna wafers, while Nick Honeyman from The Commons Takapuna brings his distinctive and quirky menu combinations to Taste of Auckland this year with Carrot Cake Snapper - combining spiced beignets, carrot puree, cream cheese, baby carrots, ginger and lemon olive oil.

Javier Carmona from Mexico will serve up three Mexican infused dishes including a dish of succulent prawns in a chipotle mayonnaise with baby cos lettuce, green gazpacho, tostada and candied lime.

Fish restaurant will see head chef Shane Yardley serve gulf snapper on a shaved fennel and orange salad, dressed with a grapefruit and roasted garlic vinaigrette.

Finally, the dynamic duo from Depot, Kyle Street and Al Brown will wow you with three beautifully simple dishes, including their famous BBQ-pulled pork sliders with apple slaw and pickled jalapeños.

Taste of Auckland is also proud to present a special VIP dinner on the opening night of the festival that will celebrate the legendary chef Tony Astle and the 40th birthday of the culinary institution that is Antoine’s. Along with two of his best known protégé’s, Simon Gault from Euro and Michael Meredith from Meredith’s, Astle will cook a dish that pays homage to the last four decades of gastronomy excellence that has occurred at Antoine’s restaurant.

Josh Emett also makes an appearance with BMW, providing a unique culinary experience, showcasing a fusion between exquisite taste and authentic design for all to enjoy.

For the ultimate food lovers’ experience, VIP tickets are also available, which include entry to Taste of Auckland, a glass of bubbles on arrival, entry into the VIP area, $30 worth of crowns and a festival guide – all for $95 per ticket.

Taste of Auckland is proudly supported by Singapore Airlines, Metro and Taste magazines, Fisher & Paykel, Prime and BMW.

The full festival line-up is available at www.tasteofauckland.co.nz

Taste of Auckland:
Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 November, 2012
Victoria Park, Auckland
www.tasteofauckland.co.nz