Hospitality Business Magazine

Top Christchurch chefs join forces to showcase fine NZ dining

rsz_ora_king_chillingworth_road_joining_forces_1Foodies will be focusing on Christchurch on the first day of September when Ōra King salmon holds the second in a series of degustation dinners prepared by some of the Garden City’s best chefs.

The event sees four leading local chefs showcasing fine New Zealand dining in Chillingworth Road Restaurant. Part of the Ōra King Chef Collaboration Series, the event aims to highlight what can be achieved by combining fresh local produce with equally hot local talent.

The series features a collaboration between a selection of celebrated chefs who have created a special five course menu with matched wines. The first dinner in the series was at famed Wellington eatery Logan Brown in July.

Chefs participating in the Christchurch dinner are Chillingworth Road head chef/owner Darren Wright, head chef/owner of Town Tonic Jamie Bennett, head chef/owner of Dragon’s Den Social Lounge Andrew Brown and Reon Hobson, chef de cuisine at The George’s signature restaurant Pescatore.

Darren Wright says “It’s an absolute privilege to share our kitchen with Jamie, Andrew and Reon, who are right up there among the leading light chefs in our city. All of us here at Chillingworth Road are delighted to be hosting this special Ōra King Salmon dinner.”

  1. Mumm Champagne and canapés are served on arrival and the five-course menu with wine matches features three Ōra King dishes and a Wakanui beef course from Reon Hobson in addition to dessert.

Wright is cooking Ōra King salmon, bacon, mushroom, black garlic & celeriac matched with Giesen The August 1888 Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc. Jamie Bennett is serving lime and vodka cured Ōra King salmon, supported by Tongue & Groove 2013 Waipara Riesling.

An Eastern Gentleman cocktail is the intriguing accompaniment to Andrew Brown’s miso cured Ōra King salmon dish, tempura nori, yuzu dressed cauliflower, black sesame puree, carrot orange sorbet and plum sake marshmallow. Reon Hobson’s seaweed braised Wakanui beef cheeks matched with Church Road McDonald Series Tempranillo 2013.

The Chillingworth Road team is delivering a dessert of chocolate, strawberry and caramel matched with Giesen The Brothers Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2013.

While the menu is enticing it is also very accessible. Tickets for the Christchurch event are limited to only 45 and priced at just $120 per person, making it one of the hottest tickets in town.

Full details of the Chillingworth Road Joining Forces – The Ora King Chef Collaboration Series event are:

Where: Chillingworth Road Restaurant, Christchurch

When: Thursday 1 September 2016, 6pm canapés, 6.45pm seated for dinner.

Who: Darren Wright, Jamie Bennett, Andrew Brown and Reon Hobson

]Cost: $120 which includes Champagne Mumm and canapés, five course dinner and matching wines

Bookings should be made direct with Chillingworth Road Restaurant by calling 03 352 7784.