Australia’s renowned Aboriginal chef, Mark Olive and esteemed wine judge, journalist, and author Tony Love will lead a trade mission to New Zealand at the end of this month.

Professionals in food, drink and hospitality will meet with wine, food and beer producers when they touch down at Auckland’s Morningside Glasshouse on Tuesday 31 October.*

This is the second Tasting South Australia event in as many years and gives local F&B service professionals and buyers a chance to meet some of the legends of South Australian food and drink while sampling their products. This is a taste of good things to come, as each producer is looking to establish their sales channels in New Zealand.

Attendees to last year’s event may recall the kanagaroo sliders and Barossa Shiraz Gin sour cocktails. This year attendees will be able to try products from 18 producers including Cape Jaffa Pet Nat, Tscharke Stonewell Grenache and Metala William Formby Cabernet Sauvignon. Food to explore includes Casarosa Almonds, The Prep House range of stocks and tasty offerings from South Australian powerhouse The Yogurt Shop. All this can be washed down with traditional and fruited wild ales from Loophole Brewing Co.

Mark Olive, aka “The Black Olive” is Australia’s most celebrated Aboriginal chef, appearing frequently on TV over the past 30 years. Mark has made a name for himself fusing native food and culture with contemporary lifestyle cooking and has recently opened his new restaurant “Midden by Mark Olive” at the Sydney Opera House.

Attendees to Tasting South Australia will be able to meet Mark who is coming across to prepare a collaborative lunch with Māori chef Monique Fiso, blending the indigenous food cultures of Australia and New Zealand for a select group of guests.

During the Tasting South Australia Showcase in the afternoon Mark and Monique will give their commentary on the similarities and differences between the two cuisines.

Another expert in his field is Adelaide-based wine journalist Tony Love who will share his knowledge and passion for South Australian wine. Spoilt for choice, Tony’s hometown Adelaide is officially one of the 12 Great Wine Capitals of the World, alongside Bordeaux and Napa Valley.

The state produces over half of the entire output of Australian wine with more than 700 wineries and 500 cellar doors across eighteen sub regions. With a huge range of varietals to suit different tastes, Tony is a specialist on South Australian Grenache, which has been making a resurgence with growers capitalising on the beauty of the ripe, spicy, cherry and raspberry scented characteristics that Grenache can yield.

Being a grape that is seldom grown in New Zealand, the Tasting South Australia event gives wine professionals and distributors a chance to delve deep into this wine style which is growing in popularity across the Tasman.

Producers attending the Tasting South Australia Showcase include: –

*The Tasting South Australia showcase is free for members of the food and beverage trade to attend. Those interested can register to attend via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/tasting-south-australia-showcase-2023-tickets- 725789966327?aff=oddtdtcreator