For the past 17 years, the Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge (MWFC) has been bringing a taste of the wild to Kiwi restaurants, bars, and bistros throughout the country. The Challenge has had a long and successful history however the time has come for Monteith’s to move on to fresh pastures. Beer and Cider food matching is still integral to Monteith’s though, as the brand looks forward to exploring new challenges and opportunities.
David Openshaw, Monteith’s Marketing Manager said, “The Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge has been a key ingredient in Monteith’s history and bringing it to prominence. This has been a tough decision, and not one we have made lightly, as we’ve definitely had plenty of fun along the journey and are immensely proud of what we’ve been able to achieve with the Challenge over the years. However, the Monteith’s Brewing Company is evolving and we’re focusing on some great new initiatives moving forward. We genuinely appreciate the chef’s, patrons and fans who have been so supportive of the Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge since its humble beginning.”
Kerry Tyack, Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge inventor and Head Judge said, “It has been great to see the Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge unearth a plethora of audacious dishes, taking wild Kiwi food from the country’s home kitchens into the restaurant environment. The partnership between this unique approach to cooking and the art of matching it with beer has resulted in 17 years of fun, adventurous and sometime challenging opportunities for creative cooks and daring diners to embark on adventure of tempting taste and texture. There will be many disappointed chefs and diners who look forward to the annual challenge but in true Kiwi fashion they will find alternate ways to let loose their imaginative side. And they will bring with them finely honed skills to ensure that creating perfect partnerships between beer and food are the better than ever.”
During the past 17 years of the Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge, there was an average of 160 outlets across the country each year competing for the national title, bragging rights and the main prize of $15,000.
