Luxurious Luncheoning
Posted: 16/03/2010 9:43:27 a.m.
Brownie and I have contributed to a couple of classic lunch occasions in recent weeks.
Both provincial, both massive for different reasons, both involving teams of volunteers, and crowds of enthusiastic foodies. And both outside.
The first was The Great Long Lunch on Napier City's Marine Parade. The City organisers, along with CJ Pask wines were celebrating the 10th year of feeding masses of locals and visitors all on one long table. This time they sat 1000 for the first time.
Our role was simply to co brand the event and create a menu that could be easy to plate in minutes but still be interesting, full of flavour and satisfying for the expectant guests.
The organisation put into the event was incredible. Meg Rodel from Napier City events and Dish caterers planned and delivered a flawless performance. They rallied an army of local groups and volunteers as well as catering students and tutors from the local polytechnic and ran it like a military operation.
They had two kitchens set up, in tents, at opposite ends of the "table" and raced each other, over each course to get their 500 served first.
Over 100 servers happily delivered the meals in waves.
I got to go around the "dining room", monitoring guest satisfaction and making 1000 new friends while Brownie fine tuned the detail in finishing each dish.
Salmon Grav Lax with wasabi panna cotta, lemon oil and cabernet syrup topped with micro greens, Prosciutto wrapped braised lamb neck with Le Puy lentils, Beetroot relish and salsa verde, berry fruit pudding with macerated Hawkes Bay stone fruit.
The guests were delightful to serve, dressed up or dressed to the nines, full of enthusiasm even when they had to put their brollies up from time to time. No doubt plenty of them nodded off on their couches that night.
The second event was the inaugural Logan Brown Dog Point Picnic at the Dog Point Vineyard in Blenheim.
The Dog Point partners Ivan Sutherland and James Healy have very similar values to Logan and Brown. Big focus on product perfection but also a lot of fun and enjoyment in its consumption. Their partnership even has an Emerald Holden Premier as well. A year ago The Dog Point partners with their partners met up with the Logan Brown partners and our partners for a fabulous picnic. Then, and there, it was decided to repeat the occasion, this year, but on a bigger grander scale.
The sun beamed down on the shady riverbank, squeezed between vineyards and an olive grove. Tables were laid out and bunting hung between the trees. Twin Set Jazz trio played the tunes while the 120 guests were treated to; Elderberry vodka fruit punch with salmon grav lax and cucumber sandwiches, 1990 Crystal Champagne and freshly shucked Tio Point oysters, Dog Point section 94 Sauvignon Blanc and Paua fritters with beurre blanc, Dog Point Chardonnay with half a crayfish served with wasabi and basil mayo, wild venison chops with mushrooms and beetroot relish with Dog Point Pinot Noir, cheese and finally chocolate dipped passionfruit Eskimo pies served with Grey Wacke late harvest Riesling supplied by their mate, Kevin Judd.
Much later I nodded off on the couch in front of the telly!