This year’s exciting announcement is three Ponsonby locals will be showcasing the sort of food that is guaranteed to tickle and tantalise foodie taste buds. To learn a little more about their varied influences, keep reading...
Miss Moonshine’s
Bringing a taste of the Southern States with some decidedly New Zealand twists to this year’s festival, husband and wife team, Annelise and Ryan Clarke took a fancy to American-style barbecue during their foodie travels around the US. Miss Moonshine’s has evolved its own unique style and flavour profiles as the couple are constantly trying to define what New Zealand barbecue means to them and their guests.
Armed with their Yoder Smoker BBQ, shipped all the way from Kansas, everything from the pit is cooked low and slow, using pohutukawa for a distinctive New Zealand flavour. Best enjoyed with one of their great cocktails or craft beers, Miss Moonshine’s smoky, succulent barbecue goodness, grilled to saucy perfection returns to Taste of Auckland this year - can you almost taste it?
Saan restaurant
Previously of Cafe Hanoi, it has always been Head Chef Lek Trirattanavatin’s dream to run his own Thai restaurant and share his family’s traditional recipes. Born and trained in Thailand, he is greatly influenced by his grandmother’s cooking and is the fourth generation in a family of chefs. He and his team at Saan will be bringing award-winning northern and north-eastern Thai dishes to Taste of Auckland this year.
Expect more sour and hot flavours, compared to the coconut-based dishes Kiwis are used to. The ingredients are bold and punchy, with a unique and authentic touch - these dishes are like nothing Taste of Auckland has seen before.
Vodka Room
Helmed by veteran chef of 20 years, Murray Wiblin, Vodka Room makes its debut appearance this year at Taste of Auckland. Praised by NZ Herald restaurant critic, Kim Knight, as "the restaurant you didn’t know Auckland was missing," Vodka Room promises to be an exciting addition to this year's festival.
With its Russian-inspired fare, reflecting a modern adaptation of traditional rustic comfort food, combined with the best of New Zealand’s freshest produce, Murray renders dishes both lighter and healthier - one he knows Kiwis will love. This year Murray and his team will transport your taste buds to the middle of Moscow, right in the heart of Western Springs.