lemongrass projects.
Tasting South Australia
Following a resounding success from it's inaugural showcase in 2022, Tasting South Australia returned to Tāmaki Makaurau October 2023, presenting a selection of premium wine, food and drink producers from South Australia.
Utilising industry and media contacts, Lemongrass Productions managed the project locally over a six month period, coordinating and promoting a VIP lunch, an afternoon industry showcase, event production and stakeholder engagement.
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2023: Trade showcase, Masterclass and VIP Lunch with chef Monique Fiso (Hiakai), Mark Olive (aboriginal chef) and Australian wine journalist Tony Love
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2022: Trade showcase and VIP Lunch hosted by Chef Sean Connolly and Australian wine journalist Tony Love
2023 Stats
13 pieces of media coverage, excl. social media
77 organisations from Hospitality and Food & Beverage Industry
High satisfaction rate: 92.3% rated the event Very Good/Excellent
38% growth in lunch attendees compared to 2022
Guests:
43.6% Distributors, Importers & Retailers
26.6% Influencers, Media & Wine Gurus
29% Hospitality and Food & Beverage Industry
Tasting South Australia 2023 Review
Tasting South Australia 2023 was a journey of flavours, culture, and connection. Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s event; it was more than a showcase of great wine and food. This was a cultural and culinary extravaganza that left a lasting impression. The event was a testament to the power of cultural exchange through the language of food and wine.
Top 4 Reasons for Attending the Event:
1. Networking with visiting producers
2. To find new products to use in my business
3. To learn which new products might soon hit the local market
4. To improve knowledge of food & drink
The line up of two great indigenous chefs collaborating on a shared menu, as well as the use of South Australian products – meat, fish, native herbs and wines - provided more than one strong and compelling reason for key management staff of organisations to attend the Lunch event. Resulting in a high calibre guest list for this segment and a great community building exercise around South Australian food and drink.
Event Highlights
The Perfect Blend:
The event seamlessly blended two key elements—lunch and a product showcase at the stunning Glasshouse in Morningside. This provided a comprehensive experience of South Australian wine & food for the attendees.
Indigenous Flavours:
The menu featured a rich tapestry of indigenous herbs, spices, and flavours, which transported guests to the heart of South Australia. Guests were able to try Pepperleaf, Saltbush, Aniseed Myrtle, Lemon Myrtle, Bush Tomato, Desert Raisin, and Wattleseed.
Networking Hub:
An exceptional afternoon for professionals in the food & beverage, hospitality, and retail industries to connect and foster meaningful relationships.
Culinary Delights:
Tasting and sampling South Australian products took center stage, with an array of mouthwatering dishes, wine, beer, spirits and food.
Grenache Masterclass:
Wine enthusiasts immersed themselves in a technical exploration of Grenache wine, led by industry expert Tony Love.
Celebrity Chef Presence:
Industry legends, including Mark Olive and Monique Fiso, graced the event with their culinary finesse.
Traditional Welcome:
A heartwarming mihi by Rewi Spraggon bridged cultural boundaries and welcomed South Australians to New Zealand.
Showcasing South Australia:
Local producers had the chance to present their products to the New Zealand F&B industry, fostering cross-cultural collaboration.
2022
2023
Tasting South Australia is a South Australian government initiative led by the Department of Trade & Investment and supported by Austrade.
See the 2022 & 2023 PDF for the line-up of exhibiting producers and their products.
