At times one has to be strategic. The annual Wellington Food Show, 11-13 May at Westpac Stadium is one of those times. Here is my strategy:

Step 1: Wrap up if it is cold. With keen crowds every time, the opening time is much anticipated, and the queue can be long. It certainly was this time around, but that was good; it built the appetite!

Step 2: Find a friend to go with who has a similar taste in food. That way you can share the 2 for $20 deals. Not kidding, it worked for us.

Step 3: The plan. Start on the left or the right? The show takes up the full circumference of the stadium, so you choose. We were in dire need of coffee so smelt our way around to Caffe L’Affare to sample a shot of Colombian espresso to set us up for the event.

Step 4: Bombard your taste buds! With a coffee in hand we started sampling, and within 10 minutes we were giggling. We had tried honey sweetened organic yoghurt from Retro Organics (divine…), a Purple Passion potato (already a favourite in our house) and numerous gourmet wafers and crackers. Washed down with a good coffee, it is what the Food Show is all about.

Step 5: Walk around twice. This worked really well as we decided what to go for and then purchase on the second time around. Plus, you spy a few things you missed the first time around.

Step 6: Get the deals! Almost every stall offers a Food Show deal. My highlights were -
a) Shott syrups, buy 2 500ml bottles for $20 and receive a 250ml free
b) Silver Fern Farms, 400g Lamb Medallions and 400g Venison Roast – $20 for both
c) The Collective Dairy, brand new 1 litre yoghurt drink, 2 for $10, and not even available in supermarkets yet. They taste delicious.

Shott Beverages

The Food Show is a great way to sample and enjoy old favourites and dozens of new products. At $25 for a ticket, visitors tend to make a big effort and spend a few hours, and often take in the Masterclass Series as well. The show-goers are more likely to be female, but there were keen male foodies who were especially keen on the wine stands!

Extra Highlights: Delighted to see great representation from some of our craft brewers in the mix. Also, some interesting international inclusions like nougat from South Africa and a lively Caribbean food stall.

It is always a joy to see so much support form Wellington for this national show.

Steak of the Week: Finally, on another note, but still on the theme of great food, we had an early Mother’s Day meal at the CQ Hotel Restaurant (213-223 Cuba Street). The new prime Angus steak menu, with accompanying agria hand-cut fries (unlimited), sauce, salad and a drink is a real winner at $35. With no steak restaurants in the vicinity of the CQ Hotel, it is a sharp offer, which comes with plenty of charming service. My husband was delighted to be offered a choice of two sauces to go with his steak as he couldn’t decide between them. Very smart to offer sauces on the side so you choose how much sauce to add.

As a family, we like a hotel dining experience as the food caters for all tastes, even my vegetarian son who made his mark on the fries and salad!

I can recommend the béarnaise sauce and the Guinness sauce (OK, I selected two as well!), which topped off the steak. It was a little reminder of my favourite steak-frites meals in France. I can see we will be going back for more!