Major industry organisations will mount a series of must-see events at Fine Food New Zealand 2012. The Baking Industry Association of New Zealand (BIANZ) will bring competitions to this year's show, including the New Zealand Bakery of the Year Competition, demonstrations, master classes, live bake-offs and demos, and the 'Gingerbread House' networking venue, and will host its AGM on site.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Chefs Association is organising the New Zealand International Culinary Challenge to be held at Fine Food New Zealand 2012 and sponsored by Fonterra. The competition will see teams of chefs from NZ, Australia, and Singapore go head-to-head in the Gourmet Pacific Challenge and the Battle of the Tasman.

The Fine Food New Zealand New Product Awards will be announced at a special event during the show to provide your latest innovations with the industry-recognised showcase they deserve. Enquire now about entering in one of the four categories available:

• Best New Retail Product
• Best New Food Service Product
• Best New Hospitality Food or Drink Product
• Best New Hospitality Equipment

See what all the fuss is about

Fine Food New Zealand is the leading event for the foodservice, hospitality, and retail industries. It's the best opportunity for visitors to see cutting-edge food, drink, and equipment from leading producers, learn the latest industry trends, make vital new contacts, and network with peers at a single, high quality, trade-only event.

Visitors: you'll discover the latest trends, get the best deals, experience exclusive industry events, and connect with innovative exhibitors from around the world.

Exhibitors: this is the trade-only promotional platform that will enable you to expand your customer base, make sales, promote your brand, launch new products and source new suppliers. There is simply no better environment for your business to engage with your target market.

I'd like to visit the show
I'm interested in exhibiting

New offices

After 12 years in Ponsonby, the head office of Fine Food New Zealand has relocated to a bright new building at 201 Victoria Street West, Auckland. Please direct all mail to our new postal address - PO Box 90300, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142. All telephone and fax numbers remain the same.

Christmas hours

On Thursday 22 December we'll be taking a break for Christmas and will start back on Monday 16 January. We wish you a fabulous Christmas break and a happy New Year.

Missed the 2010 Fine Food New Zealand? Don't worry we have all the hottest photos here.

Then now is the time to enter your product for one of the four Fine Food New Zealand New Product Awards and earn the recognition your innovation deserves. Entries close 6 May 2010, so get cracking! Download your entry form  here.

The award categories are:

• Best New Retail Product (sponsored by Supermarket News).
• Best New Food Service Product (sponsored by Restaurant and Catering News).
• Best New Hospitality Food or Drink Product (sponsored by Food & Beverage Today).
• Best New Hospitality Equipment (sponsored by Hospitality Magazine).

The family of Fine Food shows are arguably Australasia's largest foodservice, retail, and hospitality trade events, with shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and now Auckland plating up the latest products and services from bakery goods, equipment, food and drink, to furniture, hotel supplies, and tableware.

"We're already at 70 percent capacity with exhibitors for Fine Food New Zealand, which is fantastic, and now we can help NZ exhibitors expand their presence in the Australian market and further strengthen trans-Tasman business links," says Dona White, CEO Of North Port Events.

"Fine Food New Zealand is already benefiting from its massive exposure to the Australian and international markets with about 20 percent of our exhibitors coming from Australia, Italy, the USA, and Asia. On top of that, about a quarter of our visitor pre-bookings are being made by people from Australia, the USA, Malaysia, and China."

Kiwi exhibitors booked so far include Allpress Espresso (coffee roaster), River Farm (boutique winery), Kapiti Cheese, The Pastry House, Ceres (organics), NZ Fresh Cuts (salad greens), and Telegraph Hill (premium olive products from Hawke's Bay).

Exhibitors from overseas include the Southern United States Trade Association, the British Consulate, Imperial Tea (Sri Lanka), and Pantainorasingh Manufacturer (Thailand).

All up, White expects to feature about 250 exhibitors at Fine Food New Zealand and attract between 5000 and 6000 registered trade visitors.

For further information, please contact: Dona White, CEO, North Port Events - phone 09 376 4603 or email dona@nthport.co.nz

Exhibition space is already 80% sold with more than 150 exhibitors (over 25% of whom are coming from overseas) showcasing the latest food service, grocery, and hospitality products, services, and equipment - all under one roof."We're delighted at the positive response we've had from both exhibitors and industry bodies," says organiser Dona White, CEO Of North Port Events.

"Fine Food New Zealand represents a real break from the past that will deliver the kind of event exhibitors and visitors have been crying out for over many years. Finally the industry will have the show it deserves and the tremendous support we're receiving confirms that others feel the same way."Many major industry bodies have stepped up to lend their support to Fine Food New Zealand. Among those on board are the Baking Industry Association of New Zealand (BIANZ), the New Zealand Chefs Association (NZCA), the Restaurant Association of New Zealand (RANZ), the Hospitality Association of New Zealand (HANZ), the Grocery Retailers' Association (NARGON), and the Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI).

Restaurant Association's CEO, Steve Mackenzie is thrilled that their presence will give them a chance to promote and celebrate some of the great things about the hospitality industry. "Our stand will feature lots of interactive hospitality and we are giving visitors a chance to get close up and personal with some of the country's leading restaurant and café owners. If you've ever wondered what it takes to be successful in the industry, now's your chance to talk to those in the know."

Fine Food New Zealand enables the Baking Industry Association (BIANZ) to offer its members added value by combining its annual conference with the trade show, says Belinda Jeursen, BIANZ Executive Officer.

"Taking part in Fine Food New Zealand means that our members can enjoy the usual aspects of our conference - such as the Bakery of the Year Competition, Weston Milling Trainee of the Year, Annual Awards Dinner, and our AGM - but there is now the added dimension of seeing a huge variety of exhibits and meeting new suppliers at the same time," says Belinda.

BIANZ will also provide live baking demonstrations in the Bakery Feature Area, a special lounge exclusively for BIANZ members, as well as live judging of the Weston Milling Trainee of the Year competition.

The New Zealand Chefs Association (NZCA) is also taking full advantage of Fine Food New Zealand by providing celebrity chef Master Classes at the show for its members, plus the Gourmet Pacific Challenge competition for chefs under 23 years old, and Battle of the Tasman, which pits senior Kiwi chefs against their Aussie counterparts.

"Part of the reason for our existence is to be the authority on the business of being a professional chef and Fine Food New Zealand is a great showcase for us to promote that cause," says Murray Dick, representing NZCA.

Hospitality Association of New Zealand (HANZ) members will enjoy their own members-only lounge along with a series of professional workshops.

"We are very excited to be part of Fine Food New Zealand as it is a great opportunity to explore new ways of doing things, play with new products that may help New Zealand cafes and restaurants innovate further, and of course meet some great people - all under one roof," says Scott Necklen, HANZ National Operations Manager.

The trade-only aspect of the show appeals to members of the Grocery Retailers' Association (NARGON), because it enables visitors to try and taste new products, and talk with suppliers in a relaxed environment, says Trina Snow, NARGON Executive Director.

"Meeting the people behind the products is really important because a lot of it comes down to the relationships you have with suppliers. It doesn't matter how amazing a product is, if the supplier doesn't deliver on that product it's not likely to be stocked again," says Trina.

To add value for visitors, the Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI) is holding a one-day Business of Hospitality workshop at Fine Food New Zealand, one of several workshops they're holding around the country in May and June, says HSI Marketing Manager Shelley-Maree Cassidy.

"A professional event such as Fine Food New Zealand adds to the perception of hospitality as a career of choice, a very important part of HSI's strategy of developing and increasing the skill base of the hospitality workforce," says Shelley.

All up, Fine Food New Zealand promises to be the most comprehensive and truly international event the hospitality and food service industries have ever seen in this country."The show is going to knock visitors' socks off," says Dona White. "Fine Food New Zealand will deliver the sales, relationship building, education, and networking opportunities the sector needs and deserves."

Fine Food New Zealand (FFNZ) will be the place to be from June 13th - 15th 2010. Teams of young professional chefs from the New Zealand Chefs Association (NZCA) and the Australian Culinary Federation will square off against each other in the cauldron of the culinary arena as they vie for the inaugural NZCA Junior Gourmet Pacific Challenge Cup at the NZCA Gourmet Pacific Challenge, determining which side of the Tasman can lay claim to culinary supremacy.

Over the two days of intense competition, 4 teams of young professional chefs will compete in a variety of cooking competitions earning points for their teams as they seek not only culinary glory, but to uphold their national pride.

Sunday June 13th will see team members compete in individual competitions, preparing dishes of NZ King Salmon and NZ Beef & Lamb accompanied with appropriate garnishes of NZ Vegetables and mouth watering desserts.

Monday 14th June will see the entrants compete in their teams reproducing their individual dishes as part of a 5 course gourmet meal under the scrutiny of a panel of international judges from the World Association of Chefs Societies.

The Gourmet Pacific Challenge Event Director, Mr Murray Dick states, "the key elements behind the Pacific region's vibrant and dynamic food and beverage industry are the people who have committed their time, effort and dedication to ensuring only the highest standards are achieved.

Symbolising the pinnacle of excellence, young professional chefs from Australia and New Zealand will gather to compete with their peers. The NZCA Gourmet Pacific Challenge will celebrate with these young culinary talents for their superb culinary skills and also their current and future contributions to the food and beverage sectors of our respective countries."

On Tuesday 15th June, the big boys come out to play when the Australian and New Zealand International Culinary Teams go head to head for the first time ever in "The Battle for the Tasman."

Both teams have enjoyed numerous success on the international culinary competition circuit and on June 5th they will be putting their reputations and national pride on the line when, for the first time ever in New Zealand, an international team's event will take place at Fine Food new Zealand. Each team will have five hours to prepare, cook and then serve a four course lunch for 70 people, all under the scrutiny of an international panel of judges.

New Zealand Team Business Manager Gary Miller says, "it is fantastic having this opportunity to not only square off against Australia, but to be able to share with the rest of New Zealand the thrill and excitement that is an international teams event.

For the past 8 years, the NZCT has travelled the world clocking up numerous awards, accolades and gold medals and now we get the opportunity to try to achieve in our own back yard."

Australian Culinary Federation Team Manager, Patrick O'Brien says of the event, "Fine Food New Zealand will be a great opportunity for both New Zealand and Australia to come together to share and demonstrate their passions and skills in the culinary arts. There is great 'friendly' rivalry between both squads as we've watched each other over the years, now we are in a position to cook-off against each other in Auckland, in June. It's going to be fierce and we look forward to it."

Ends

For further details on the Gourmet Pacific Challenge contact:

Murray Dick
NZCA Events Co-ordinator 
021 777 774
kukboi@xtra.co.nz

Gary Miller
NZCT Business Manager
0275 918 777
nzculinaryteam@hotmail.com