Hospitality Business Magazine

Two Auckland high schools participating in the region wide Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) will compete for business amongst some of New Zealand’s biggest producers of artisan and speciality goods at this year’s Auckland Food Show at the ASB Showgrounds, 31 July – 3 August.

YES students from Manurewa High School and Henderson High School have begun, manufacturing and marketing an exotic brand of black bulb garlic aioli and a naturally produced paleo chocolate range (respectively).

Promoted under the banner Auckland on the Menu, students will join 15 other Auckland artisan and boutique food suppliers which work with Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).

ATEED’s General Manager Economic Growth, Patrick McVeigh says the students have been inspirational and produced products that encapsulate current trends in the food and beverage industry.

“The Food Show attracts more than 30,000 people each year, a ‘dragon’s den’ which provides a credible market research platform to test the students’ entrepreneurship. Of course, they’ll learn from some of the best artisan and speciality food business that Auckland has to offer,” he says.

All businesses exhibiting under Auckland on the Menu were selected according to their market-readiness, growth and export potential.

Products range from gourmet Asian greens, salmon mousse and boutique Waiheke wines, to plant-based alternatives to dairy foods, fresh oysters, frozen desserts, gluten-free muesli, sausages, condiments, paleo chocolate and sauces.

ATEED has helped most businesses on the stand access New Zealand Trade and Enterprise training vouchers, which are available for growing businesses with export potential through the Government’s Regional Business Partner programme.

Tantalise your taste buds and experience Auckland on the Menu:

• Angel Food

• Be Nourished

• Black Bulb Co.

• Curious Croppers

• El Paleo Chocolates

• Genevieve’s

• Mahurangi Oysters

• NoShortcuts

• Passage Rock Wines

• Passionberry

• Peacock Sky Vineyard Ltd