TOP STORY: Capital just eats us up

MANDY SMITH
Move aside Canterbury, Hawke's Bay is the nation's new epicurean heartland.
It's something we all knew, of course, but it was nice to have it confirmed at a flashy promotional event in the Beehive last night. MPs, restaurateurs and food distributors were among 250 people who attended Taste Hawke's Bay, the brainchild of local MPs Craig Foss and Chris Tremain.
Almost 40 food producers and wineries made the trip to Parliament, where they handed out samples and told people about their product in the hopes of extending their market in the capital, and promoting Hawke's Bay as a place to stay.
Tukituki MP Mr Foss opened the event by paying tribute to the stallholders and organisers.
"'Wow' is the only way to describe what we have managed to achieve here tonight," he said.
He encouraged guests to sample everything and "have chequebooks at the ready".
And judging by the feedback from stallholders, that is exactly what they did.
Meeanee-based company Wheatgrass Organics and Wright Sprouts is just a year old, but thanks to last night's exposure, owners Katrina Wright and Toni Torr have registered interest from Fresh Connection, one of New Zealand's largest fresh produce distributors.
"We are so excited because we've only just started out, and it's all happening for us," Ms Wright said.
The pair had worked with The Gin Trap's executive chef , Grant Kitchen, on a display menu to demonstrate the wheat-grass plant's versatility.
"We're challenging people to use it in entrees, mains, desserts and drinks."
She said the secret to their "sweet and delicious" product was compost that took six months to perfect.
"But there's no way I'm telling you what's in that."
St Andrews Lime co-owner Ant Williams said four people had taken away wholesale lists, and he expected orders to follow.
Direct sales were not permitted at the event.
Although the business stocked Porirua Market and Moore Wilsons, Mr Williams hoped to crack the capital's lucrative hospitality industry.
Terraza Saffron owner Mark Tyro's main reason for visiting Parliament was to educate the public about saffron.
The Hastings man, who currently stocks his saffron products in two major Wellington stores, was promoting the spice as an everyday dish ingredient.
"People have the perception that it's expensive and only those people who know how to cook can use it.
"But a small amount goes a long way, and if I can do it so can they."
Mr Tyro said he was flattered Bellamys executive chef Charles Noville had developed such a fondness for his product.
"I hear he served it on a dish for Australian Prime Minister (John Howard) and he licked every last drop off his plate."
Jennifer Kendall, retired, of Wellington, said her main recollections of Hawke's Bay were as a child on holiday during the 1940s.
"The Mission was the only vineyard at the time," she said, surveying the plentiful wineries on display.
"Now there's so many. It's grown into the most beautiful place."
Zepelin co-owner Ross Martin said Hawke's Bay wines were under-represented in Wellington restaurants. He had taken six orders during the night, and hoped more would follow for the one-year-old business.
Clutching a glass of Squawking Magpie syrah, New Zealand Restaurant Association president Mike Egan said the event was the perfect platform for small businesses.
"If every business tried to make a noise, the market would be overcrowded. They make a greater splash with a combined effort."
He said the quality of Bay produce and the suppliers' passion was a winning combination.
"Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's answer to France's Provence. It really is the gourmet food region of New Zealand." Mr Foss said the event was a resounding success, and the onus was now on producers to follow up enquiries. He hinted another event may be in order in one of the four main centres.