Food event returns to showgrounds

The Auckland Food Show will go ahead next week after the ASB Showgrounds were given a fresh lease of life by a new operator.

The last-minute deal between landowner the Cornwall Park Trust and the NZ Exhibition & Events Company (NZEEC) followed the voluntary liquidation of the board that ran the showgrounds.

XPO Exhibitions (XPO) general manager Rebecca Stewart said she was delighted that after just a month since the liquidation, things have moved swiftly.

“The confirmation gave us a muchneeded boost in confidence for our clients for not just the Food Show, but future events of ours and other organisers,” she said.

Although, because of Covid-19, Costco and The Very Good Company pulled out, there had been five new local bookings since last week, she said.

The show has been going continuously for 22 years and this year they are expecting up to 30,000 people across the four days, a similar number to the pre-Covid level.

Recent events, including a Collectors Car sale, had been postponed after liquidators were called in for the Auckland Agricultural Pastoral and Industrial Shows Board.

As of March this year, the venue had lost four major events, including the Home Show and the Royal Easter Show.

Last year, 14 major events were cancelled because of the pandemic, plus 11 smaller shows and concerts.

Tickets for the Food Show this year range from $15 to $95, and children under the age of 5 are free.

Stewart said she had been involved with the show for 19 years.

“So [I’m] particularly excited to see it continuing this year, and kind of after everything that we’ve been through with Covid, and the disruptions to the business, it’s more exciting than ever to deliver the event,” Stewart said.

In 2020 more than 18,000 people attended the event and about 30,000 people came in the year before.

The Auckland Food Show will be the first big event to be held after being taken over by the NZEEC.

The Food Show will host about 250 exhibitors, including more than 100 new companies showcasing their goods. It will be held at the re-branded Auckland Showgrounds from July 29 until August 1.

Marlborough’s Forrest Wines founder, John Forrest said he had been coming to the Auckland Food Show for more than 20 years.

“It’s always been a good show because people seem interested in learning about your wine and they seem to enjoy the day that’s well run,” Forrest said.

“People are more educated, they’re asking better questions and it’s great.” And with that the booze culture has also disappeared, he said.

“They [people] may be smiling and looking a bit happy and chatty but what’s wrong with that,” he said.

Venture Taranaki is also working with seven local food producers to showcase Taranaki produce at the show.

Four returnees are local gin distillers Juno Gin, craft brewers Three Sisters Brewing, honey experts Egmont Honey, and pancake-lovers Marcel’s and first-time participants artisan fudge-makers FiveFudge, sweet-treat producers Bout Time Brownie, and gourmet cracker crafters Mister K.