Logan Brown a hot favourite again
WELLINGTON ON A PLATE 2015 has drawn a record 109 Dine menus, but only five have been selected as Mindfood’s best menu finalists.
Logan Brown, which took out last year’s best menu, has been announced as a top contender again, alongside Artisan, Hummingbird, Ti Kouka and Zibibbo.
Owner Steve Logan says he hopes to defend the title with some local mouth-watering cuisine.
‘‘I’m definitely excited about this year’s menu. We’ve put a lot of work into creating some fresh, vibrant dishes for people to try.’’
Logan is particularly proud of a starter which is likely to be popular among seafood lovers.
It combines Cook Strait hoki brandade with squid rings, salad verde, and black olives.
The combination of fresh herbs and salty olives makes it ‘‘a fresh, vibrant dish with lots of different textures’’, he says.
Restaurants are encouraged to feature local ingredients on their Dine menus, which Logan says is a great way to support small businesses.
‘‘We go to a lot of trouble to source local ingredients that are great in our dishes, and also great for local suppliers trying to get into the market.’’
Wellingtonians are clearly chomping at the bit to try the local produce. Logan Brown has already sold out for dinner, but lunches are still available.
Hummingbird head chef Helen Turnbull says Wellington On a Plate is a time to get creative.
Her Dine menu incorporates Cuba St’s Love Honey and Libertine Blends tea throughout each meal. ‘‘I wanted to do something that’s different and pushes the boundaries from what I usually do.’’
She hopes to impress the judges with her dish of the day, a rose tea infused jelly-tip pistachio icecream.
‘‘I always like to make something that’s fun and creative. I think the combination of rose tea, pistachio and rhubarb is quirky and different, but delicious at the same time.’’
Mindfood food director and judge Michelle McHugh says the calibre of food this year and the narrative behind the dishes has made the judging very difficult.
‘‘It is obvious there is much talent within the Wellington region and the Mindfood award allows the restaurants to showcase their talents on a national platform.’’
For Dine menus and more information, see Wellingtononaplate.com/dine.