It could be a while before oysters make a reappearance at Eden Park.
A hospitality company is bringing its own caterer to Eden Park for next month's Bledisloe Cup match following the poisoned oyster incident that left hundreds ill.
Capital Events, which had clients at the Hall of Legends corporate area get sick following the June 17 All-Blacks Irish test, has hired an
Auckland catering company to serve 3000 guests during the August 19 clash.
Managing director Terry Wilson said it had negotiated with Eden Park's exclusive caterer, Michael O'Brien Catering, to have its clients served by David Williams' Relish Group. Michael O'Brien Catering will continue to serve patrons in the corporate hospitality areas.
"That's just a one-off thing for this test match only.
"Our customers from the Hall of Legends will be joining us on the marquee. Some of them will be repeat customers from the Irish test, and by appointing a new caterer, we've taken sufficient steps to assure them that we're not going to have any issues.
"It's about getting some confidence back to customers that we're not going to have a repeat performance."
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service found the source of the gastroenteritis outbreak to be imported Korean oysters that were not meant to be served raw. Although he knew New Zealand growers were not at fault, Mr Wilson said oysters were firmly off the menu at the Bledisloe match. But taking it off the menu was not a long-term fix.
"Just taking oysters off the menu is not a solution to solve things going forward. The solution is putting procedures in place and an environment of trust between all parties."
The company is still negotiating with Michael O'Brien Catering over compensation for its clients who got ill after the Irish test, said Mr Wilson.
Michael O'Brien Catering issued a statement, saying the Bledisloe match catering arrangement would operate as a "joint venture".
"[We] are once again proud to be working with one of New Zealand's premier caterers," said Jay Larter, venue catering manager.
