The Food Show returns to Auckland with a star studded line up

New Zealand's most popular food and beverage exhibition, The Food Show, is returning to Auckland from 31 July – 3 August at the ASB Showgrounds.

A star studded line-up of celebrity chefs and wine experts will be headlining The Food Show in Auckland including Australian-based, French chef Gabriel Gaté. Formerly of the Loire Valley in France, Gabriel first learned to cook from his grandmother and later served his chef's apprenticeship under Master Chef, Albert Augereau, at 'Jeanne de Laval' in the west of France. Gabriel has lived in Australia for more than 30 years, and is the author of 19 cook books.

Joining Gabriel on The Food Show stage will be ex-pat Kiwi Peter Gordon. Originally from Wanganui, Peter is executive chef and co-owner of The Providores in London, as well as executive chef at Auckland's 'dine by Peter Gordon' at the SKYCITY Grand Hotel. Peter is a prolific cookbook writer, and his culinary style is best termed Fusion - where the thrill of creating a new dish lies in the understanding of ingredients from all over the globe.

A local name coming to The Food Show line up for the first time in 2008 is Lauraine Jacobs, who will be joining top chefs Ray McVinnie, Peta Mathias, Annabel Langbein and Ruth Pretty. All will be showcasing their superior skills in the Electrolux free Cooking Theatre.

Auckland, the home of The Food Show, sets the national trend for the absolute best in food, wine and great taste. From the Preview Day to the show’s end, the gourmet spectacle never stops! Visitors to The Food Show who love eating, drinking, cooking and entertaining will find all their culinary cravings and sources for inspiration under one roof. Hundreds of local and international exhibitors will be showcasing, sampling and selling innovative food and beverages, as well as associated products and kitchen equipment.

Top exhibitors back again in 2008 include Old Fashioned Foods, Caffe L’affare, Whittakers, Hawkes Bay Inc, Barker’s Fine Foods, Charlie’s and Hellers Smallgoods. New exhibitors include Roasted Addiqtion, New Zealand Seafood, Farro Fresh, Nosh Gourmet Food Market, Liquorland, Kohu Road Ice Cream and many more.

For dedicated food and wine lovers, the Preview Day offers an exclusive sneak peek at the 300-plus exhibits on site, without the crowds. The Preview Day will be held on Thursday 31 July, with only 3,000 tickets available at $35 each.

Visit www.foodshow.co.nz for the Electrolux free Cooking Theatre timetable, and for more information. Tickets can be purchased from this website from 30 June.