Meat and wine pairing set to make a snapper happy

Gimblett Gravels chairman Gordon Russell is highly enthusiastic about the competition partnership. Photo / File

Grabbing a photo of a "perfect pairing" of top Hawke's Bay food and wine will result in one happy snapper picking up a major prize package of accommodation, lunch and dinner - as well as two cases of wine and a chef's selection of fresh free-range meat.

Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association and Hastings-based firstlight, which produces grass-fed free-range meats, have joined up to create a competition which will not only make someone happy but spread the word about the Bay's offerings in leading Auckland and Wellington dining spots.

The Snap the Perfect Pair promotion, which will run from October 20, to November 14, will also involve four Hawke's Bay restaurants, as well as selected food stores in Auckland.

People dining at any of the participating restaurants, where firstlight meat will be matched with a Gimblett Gravels wine, are encouraged to take a photo of their dish and then upload it to the Gimblett Gravels Facebook page.

Renowned food writer Lauraine Jacobs will judge and pick the competition's winning image.

"It's exciting to have two of Hawke's Bay's finest brands joining forces," firstlight marketing director Jason Ross said.

"It demonstrates that Hawke's Bay is a top location to grow high-quality products."

Gimblett Gravels chairman Gordon Russell was equally enthusiastic about the coupling.

"Not only is it a celebration of wine and food's perfect pairing, it's also an event that celebrates the collaboration of the wine and food industries," he said.

The Hawke's Bay restaurants taking part are Deliciosa, Terroir, Te Awa and Mister D.

Auckland dining spots will be Botswana Butchery, The Grill, Harbourside, Orphans Kitchen and SPQR, while in Wellington Capitol, WBC and Cobar will take part.