Have you booked free tickets to Fine Food New Zealand, the largest international food, beverage, and equipment trade exhibition?  It’s on 26 – 28 June at the ASB Showgrounds, and it’s free to attend if you register online by 24 June. Connecting foodservice, hospitality, retail and the latest trends and newest innovations.

This year Fine Food NZ is divided into 11 themed product worlds which along with business focused seminars from top industry experts and an awards showcase, give visitors optimum opportunity to learn, connect, purchase and try. The top 5 features of the show, not to be missed are:

1.                   The Innovation Awards

This year sees the re-launch of the prestigious Fine Food NZ Innovation Awards, with new categories which recognise real innovation by companies in the food, beverage, packaging, equipment, and other relevant sectors. The winners will be announed on Sunday 26 June, including naming the overall winner the James & Wells Champion of Innovation Award sponsored by intellectual property specialists James & Wells.

2.                   The Seminars Series

Fine Food NZ hosts a series of free, professional seminars on vital topics relevant to the Food and Beverage sectors. Experts from the Ministry of Primary Industries, Hospitality New Zealand, NZ Trade & Enterprise, James & Wells, Bidvest and more, will be talking through important industry topics. The seminars will take visitors through subjects such as changes to the Food Act, staff and business management and learnings around the Trans-Tasman food trade.

3.                   New Zealand Chef’s Association

The NZChefs Cooking Arena will be hosting a wide range of cooking competitions and demonstrations, including the Great NZChefs Culinary Challenge. In this prestigious competition, up and coming chefs will compete head-to-head to cook top quality dishes against the clock – and visitors will have opportunities to purchase and consume the delicious results.

4.                   Baking Industry Association of NZ (BIANZ)

The BIANZ is back again this year and will occupy a large space at Fine Food NZ where visitors will be able to view several national baking competitions, demonstrations, master classes and live bake-offs. It’s a fantastic opportunity to network with people in the baking industry, bakers, café owners and industry suppliers. And rumour has it, the gingerbread man (the star of the 2014 Fine Food NZ competition) is set to find himself a wife!!

5.                   Explore the product worlds: Artisan Alley & The Gluten Free and Allergen Friendly Zone

These two on-trend zones are growing by the day. The extremely popular Artisan Alley is back due to popular demand, and has been expanded into two alleys to include more small-batch, handmade and traditional goods such as Dr Feelgood Limited, Blue Frog and Hammerhead Foods. In response to increased demand from consumers and the industry for more ‘free from’ products this year sees The Gluten Free and Allergy Friendly Zone make it’s debut. Pheonix Gluten Free Limited, Venerdi and Angel Food are just a few of the names to look out for in this popular zone.

Other features of note are the RANZ Barista Smackdown, which will pit barista against barista in a knockout competition to crown the best of the best, and the Top Shelf Boutique Drinks Festival, Australia’s biggest trade liquor event. The two features combine fun, sampling, education and entertainment with the best in the beverage industry sure to attract the crowds.

Fine Food NZ is your best opportunity to find all the food, drink, and equipment products and services your business needs, all in one place. For businesses that prepare, serve, and sell food and drink, or operate in the accommodation and hospitality sectors, Fine Food NZ is the place to be. This major event only happens once every two years – can you afford not to be there?  

Visit for free by registering by June 24 at www.finefood.co.nz or pay $25 at the gate. All online registrations before June 24 go in the draw to win a home entertainers hamper from Kerr Cowan & Andrew Hawley valued over $900.