Full houses tuck into tasty events

From left, Robin Dundas, Helen Leitch, Luciana Figueira, Grieg Buckley, owner Chris van der Have, Catherine Smith, and artisan pasta maker Danny Brown instructing Robert Harrison how to roll pasta last night. Photo / Duncan Brown

F.A.W.C! took over Havelock North last night as three unique events were rolled out at the same time.

Both Wrapped at Deliciosa and Advintage's Does My Wine Look Big in This? sold out prior to the day, while The Art of Pasta was close to capacity.

Danny Brown was on fire in the kitchen as he showed a captivated group of 16, how to make fresh pasta and traditional Italian sauces from scratch.

Armed with a rolling pin and a pasta machine he demonstrated how to roll, cut, and shape his favourite delights including fettucini, orichietti, and tortellini at the Farmhouse Kitchen in Havelock North.

Chris van der Have was on hand to share his secret for making another Italian favourite - ricotta. Finally, Pukeora Estate winemaker Max Annabell presented a range of award- winning wines served with a meal by chef Pauline Korevaar, who whipped up an Italian style two-course dinner including fresh, local greens.

Across town it was a full house at Advintage as women sipped French champagne and learned the art of wine tasting, at Does My Wine Look Big in This? Expert speakers guided them through the key characteristics of classic New Zealand varietals and how to use sense of smell to identify six well known wines. "It's going gang busters," Food Hawke's Bay's Vicky Roebuck said.

"It's a full house, the ladies are lining up for their first tasting, it's just a bit of fun and a chance to learn something new."

Delightful food was devoured at Deliciosa's Wrapped with dishes trussed up in wrappings, including paper, banana leaf, corn husks and pastry. Local and international wine matches rounded out the experience.