Produced in partnership with Visa Wellington On a Plate.
Serving the finest food from Aotearoa’s best chefs — there’s no better escape than the country’s capital from 1 – 31 August for Visa Wellington On a Plate. The largest culinary festival in the southern hemisphere, it’s an opportunity to tempt your tastebuds in many ways.
You’ll delight in savouring limited-edition dishes from high-end restaurants to hole-in-the-wall establishments, as well as the opportunity to attend ticketed events with like-minded connoisseurs.
We recommend you make a long weekend of it because, after all, life’s about indulging in the finer things. Stay at one of our favourite hotels that doubles as a cultural experience (think Sofitel Wellington or QT Museum Hotel Wellington), dress up in your best attire, and head into the city for wining and dining galore.
After some ideas for where to go and what to experience? Here are Fashion Quarterly’s unmissable picks for Visa Wellington On a Plate.
1. Dine Wellington
Inspired by personal experiences and the rich history of the capital city, chefs are plating up playful and intriguing fare with Dine Wellington. The team at Dragonfly are paying homage to their father’s Chinese cuisine and his signature lemon chicken dish, while Capitol Restaurant is bringing the city’s temperamental climate to life with a ‘Windy City Soufflé’.
2. A Cinderella celebration
Polish your tiara and put on your glad rags as you join the Royal New Zealand Ballet Foundation at QT Wellington’s Hippopotamus restaurant for a ball of an evening. Delve into a decadent three-course meal and go behind the scenes of Cinderella to see what it takes to create a modern classic — from the fashion-forward designs to the breathtaking musical score.
3. Cocktail Wellington
A chance to tantalise your tastebuds with mesmerising tipples, over 50 of Wellington’s iconic bars and restaurants have created a limited-edition cocktail to be served throughout August. From a bergamot and butterfly pea drink accompanied by a macaron to a Darjeeling tea and fig infused whisky paired with goat’s cheese, Cocktail Wellington is truly mixology like you’ve never experienced before.
4. Seafood delights
It wouldn’t be Visa Wellington On a Plate without The Sea Breeze Inn, a pop-up in partnership with Seafood NZ showcasing Aotearoa’s best sustainably sourced kaimoana. Diners can tuck into celebrity chef Morgan McGlone’s fresh takes on classic fish ‘n chip style fare in a casual, retro-esque setting — the perfect atmosphere for a cosy night out.
5. A culinary journey
Journey in a 4×4 out to Boomrock Lodge, renowned for its spectacular Cook Strait views and welcoming hospitality. You’ll then be treated to a seven-course degustation celebrating traditional and contemporary cuisine by head chef Warren Maddox. Although the night will end, you’ll be gifted a recipe book for a culinary experience that keeps on going.
