2008

The Food Show, Auckland 31 July - 3 August

Through the eyes of NZGFW President, Sue Story

This year, for the first time, I was not working at the show and was able to spend some quality time looking around and must say I thoroughly enjoyed the leisurely pace. The Electrolux Theatre sessions alone could have taken up the whole day but I did spend at least half the day exploring and making new discoveries.

My biggest epiphany was finding the Kohu Rd Espresso ice-cream. Having searched for years for a more intense coffee ice-cream I was thrilled with this one. How it only managed a silver medal and not gold at recent awards I don’t know. I loved it!

Many of the old familiar faces were there, some with new products but lots of first-time exhibitors were trying their luck at finding a market. I tried the new bread from Yarrows and while I commend the healthy properties contained within the grain Sabla, I found it still tasted like “supermarket bread”. They did say it had been packed warm and rushed to Auckland for the show so that may have explained its doughy texture.

The Edamame (frozen soy bean) was another product that caught the eye. It has been around a while but this was the first tasting I had done and it was much better than I expected. The Japanese eat them as snacks with beer, which would be much healthier than crisps.

In the ready-made market the Imperial Dumplings tasted pretty good and have the bonus of being made here by a Chinese chef so we don’t need a translator to read the labels.

Gabriel Gaté had us drooling over his gorgeous Gallic charm and his food looked delicate and healthy too! Peter Gordon was entertaining as ever but I don’t imagine too many people would be rushing home to try the recipes as they were rather complex. Still the website gives you all the chef’s recipes so if you couldn’t be there you could try them out.

Pictured at right: Gabriel Gate working in the Electrolux cooking theatre at 'The Food Show'

International Year of the Potato

In declaring 2008 the International Year of the Potato, the United Nations General Assembly seeks to focus world attention on the role the potato can play in defeating hunger and poverty. Potatoes are crucial to the food security of hundreds of millions of people in the developing world. While potato output has declined in Europe, growth is strong in developing countries - notably China and India.

www.fao.org/ag/

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Katrina Gordon Trade Shows

Katrina Gordon has been hosting hospitality trade shows for 18 years, and in 2008 will run 16 shows around New Zealand. Over the years the shows have provided the opportunity for suppliers and manufacturers to showcase the best in products and services as well as be a meeting place for the industry's decision makers.

www.katrinagordon.co.nz/

2008

August 19

Greymouth, The Regent Theatre

August 21

Nelson, Suburban Club

September 2

Invercargill, The Ascot Hotel

September 4

Dunedin, Town Hall

September 24

Hawkes Bay, Pettigrew Green

October 8

Tauranga, Tauranga Racecourse

October 15

Northland, Forum North Centre