The dream of having all the city’s best restaurants in one handy location will be realised once again as Taste of Auckland returns to Western Springs Park this November (5 - 8). The country's largest culinary festival will see a lineup of local food professionals set up shop to pump out inventive signature dishes and show off their finesse in the kitchen.

After taking out the Best Dish award last year, Ponsonby favourite Farina are back to defend their title. This time chef Sergio Maglione will set the bar with crab and mascarpone ravioli with tomato and lemon butter.

Also joining the restaurant lineup is Federal Street institution Depot. The Al Brown-run eatery will come armed with thousands of oysters for their Virgin Oyster Shooters that took home second place at last year’s Best in Taste awards. Travelling slow cookers Miss Moonshine will make their debut at the festival with wood-smoked beef short rib, whole hog and apple slaw; fine dining experience Bracu will have dessert on lock with a roasted white chocolate ice cream sandwich; Parnell’s NSP will select signature dishes from their lengthy menu dubbed “the bible of Italian cooking,” and Maltido Mendez will bring their Latin American influence to the table. Further participants include: waterfront seafood restaurant FISH, Southern American-styled eatery Miss Clawdy, and European Japanese fusion Kazuya.

For the first time at Taste of Auckland, each restaurant will attempt to pull off their interpretation of a hangi.

Visit the Taste of Auckland website for more information.

Published on September 29, 2015 by Stephen Heard