One of our – and New Zealand’s - favourite chefs, the always-inspiring Sid Sahrawat is set to collaborate with friend and fellow multi award-winning chef, Ben Bayly for a very special event at his Auckland dining landmark, Sid at The French Cafe.
It goes without saying that lucky diners can expect a taste of each of the chefs’ signature restaurant styles. Sahrawat will bring modern New Zealand cuisine made using French techniques, while Bayly will deliver dishes from his new restaurant, Ahi, opening in Commercial Bay in September.
While the chefs have been friends for many years, they have never cooked together publicly and are looking forward to sharing some banter while delivering a memorable evening for diners. Sahrawat says he and Bayly worked at the same restaurant, though not at the same time – but this has bonded them as chefs. “When we get together, we just sit and talk and laugh for hours,” he says of his friend and peer. “It’s really special to have that kind of bond in our industry, we are really supportive of each other’s endeavours.”
Meanwhile, Bayly says Sahrawat has been a “massive inspiration” for him as a chef. “I have always looked up to Sid and we have become firm friends and maintained a genuine solidarity,” he says. “We compete in the same space, but we are friends first and very different chefs in our own right. ‘Dinner with Friends’ is going to be fun and I’m looking forward to teaching Sid a thing or two – I’m sure we’ll throw in a couple of surprises as well.”
“Dinner with Friends” will take place at Sid at The French Café on 14-15 October. Tickets are priced at $250 per person, which includes six canapés and a six-course tasting menu. Each chef will be responsible for three canapés and three main dishes, and some dietary requirements can be catered for as long as you contact the restaurant to check before booking. For more information and reservations see www.sidatthefrenchcafe.co.nz
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