What else could possibly be better than burgers and beer? Not much in my humble opinion – but when you pair them with Wellington, you’ve got an absolute vibe on your hands! Wellington on a Plate is back and we look at the food festival’s BEST weekend,
Wellington on a Plate is always an absolute must-do in the culinary calendar. The capital comes alive with its hundreds of restaurants getting into the spirit of food, with special menus, creations and more than 100 different events.
This year’s theme is ‘A Taste of Change’ – acknowledging the feeling we’ve all been familiar with over the past two years. Change, fluidity, comings and goings, staying still yet somehow always shifting – we’ve adapted and dare we say… pivoted. We can all agree the one constant in life is change, from the early buds to the flower, the wind and the seasons, and the eventual changing of the tides. Our lives are in a State of Flux.
But there’s always one weekend when two of WOAP’s best events collide, and it’s a weekend that’s ALWAYS booked out in my calendar – because tell me what is better than Burger Wellington AND Beervana together? Here’s what I’ll be up to between August 19-21 this year – and I highly suggest you too!
Burger Wellington
Ok so lets talk burgers first – one my personal great loves because burgers are life and I won’t hear a bad word against them.
And for three weeks every year, Wellington celebrates the humble burger, with more than 240 specially-created burgers to try that even the most distinguished burger aficionado will get excited by. (Even the Interislander gets on board – literally)
Now in its 14th year, Burger Wellington sees the capital’s dining establishments – from fancy to down-to-earth get creative between two buns and compete to try and create the best burger possible.
The burgers range from the tradition to the wacky, and while my usual go-to fried chicken burger certainly gets a look in when I’m deciding what spots to hit, it’s also fun to branch out and try something new.
Here’s a few we’re looking forward to trying this year: (And head HERE to see all 242 burgers to plan your own ultimate itinerary)
Apache: Dragon and Phoenix – Caramel chicken with green rice-crusted prawns, pickled kohlrabi, Vietnamese herbs, smoked pineapple and kaffir lime mayo in a twice-cooked steamed The Dumpling Company bun.
Brew’d Boulcott: French Revolution – Beef patty with Swiss cheese, aged medium-rare sirloin, gherkins, onion rings and Dijonnaise with French fries and gruyere French onion dipping soup
Egmont St Eatery: Saigon Smash – Vietnamese-style spiced smashed beef patty with pickled daikon, pickled carrot, chilli cheese, Vietnamese mint, coriander and pate mayonnaise in a potato bun (these guys won last year and honestly it was probably the best burger I’ve ever had)
Foxglove Bar and Kitchen: Indulge Me – Dry aged Wagyu patty with cheddar, marrow and Mushroom House mushroom glaze, bearnaise pickles, mustard and confit garlic aioli in a cronut bun
Iron Horse Mirimar: Flaming Coq – Louisiana-style fried chicken, Baxter’s chilli and lime hot sauce, picklenaise, creamy red cabbage slaw, American cheese and pickles in a sesame seed bun
The Library: The Iceburg-er – Bombe Alaska caramel slice with shortbread, raspberry gel and Carrello del Gelato double chocolate hokey pokey sorbet in a sponge lamington bun
Beervana
If a beer lover died and went to heaven, I’m pretty sure this is what it would look like. Beervana is huge, loud, exciting and FULL of passionate small brewers plying their creations to enthusiastic drinkers. And this year, Beervana is celebrating the big 21 – a perfect time to celebrate all that’s awesome about Kiwi beer.
While I like beer, my tastes veer towards the basic – one lady lager, please – but Beervana is the perfect event to attend if you, like me, are keen to expand your palette a little and try new things. Last year I began my journey into sour beers and found I really enjoyed them, so this year I’ll be doubling down on the sours in order to find my favourite drop.
But it’s not just about the beer – there’s live music, activations, AMAZING food and weird street performances that snake around the entirety of Sky Stadium’s outer concourse.
If, however, you’re a passionate craft beer drinker, head HERE to delve into all the breweries who’ll be attending Beervana, as well as a full beer list so you can head to the festival prepared (downloadable list coming soon).
Happy eating and drinking – see you in Wellington!
For tickets to Beervana, Dine Wellington or any other Visa Wellington on a Plate events, head here!
