Is Wellington really New Zealand’s capital of cuisine? Really?
I’m referring, of course, to the buzz coming out of the windy city’s some-what overzealous tourism board which continues to beat the same drum over and over and over again.
And even The Listener is in on the act; not to mention Statistics New Zealand, a government organisation that is supposed to report on facts and figures.
Is Wellington’s claim on New Zealand’s culinary crown purely based on facts and statistics, do you think?
Now I’m no statistician but surely Auckland has more restaurants, more cafes, more bars, more chefs and more hungry people. It is home to more of New Zealand’s best and brightest celebrity chefs’ restaurants than anywhere else and an annual event for foodies that is just as great as Wellington on a Plate.
Sure, Wellington’s tourism board can point to the fact that its restaurants had taken out the top prize at the Cuisine Restaurant of the Year awards four times but Auckland restaurants have won it the last two years in a row.
And what of all the other fabulous prizes up for grabs? At this year’s awards Auckland restaurants took out four of the eight categories, including the supreme award (The Grill) and the best metropolitan restaurant (The Grove).
Wellington restaurants took out one category – Martin Bosley’s won the prize for best specialist restaurant – putting the city on par with the likes of Hamilton and Whangarei.
Besides, Wellington is already New Zealand's Windy City, the Coolest Little Capital, Wellywood, the Middle of Middle-Earth – and whatever else it’s calling itself these days.
Is there any title the city won’t claim as its own, besides not a single Super Rugby championship? Must it really take the title of New Zealand’s culinary capital, too?
I’m not absolutely positively sure it deserves it. How about you?
- Felix Foodcritic
* To Felix's credit – even celebrity chef Al Brown is now leaving Wellington to concentrate on Auckland! Ed.
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Who really cares? I am not going to travel out of my own city to eat beacuase a specific restaurant has won an award.
Having eaten in restaurants all around the world I Can say that New Zealand, and yes even Auckland, has some really good restraunts. My only gripe is that they are expensive compared to other parts of the world.
Auckland should have more of everything given its population.
Finally, Felix, as an ex Aucklander who now calls Wellington home, please stay there as you sound too insecure for Wellington.
11:30AM, 29th Nov 2012
Ouch! Wellington is not going to like this - it's the city that thinks it's better than every other city!
11:43AM, 29th Nov 2012
Contrary to grumpyfoodie’s expectations that we won’t like this, we can assure you it’s water off a duck confit’s back. We’d also contend Wellington doesn’t “think it’s better than every other city” – we simply get on with it and celebrate what we’ve got to offer locals and visitors. Yes, we’re unapologetically proud of our fine city and its many merits; but while many established foodies and international publications support our culinary capital cries, equally we appreciate others will debate them.
5:58PM, 29th Nov 2012
Totally and utterly disagree with you on this one Felix. As I suggested on Twitter if you bring a credit card with you I'll happily take you around some of my favourite places to show you why we have such a title. You only need to check out the Cuisine Top 50 http://cuisine.co.nz/restaurants.nsf/top50 to see how many amazing top restaurants we have here. Its not all about the top places to dine we also have the most incredible food available at markets. My favourite is to visit the dumpling house on Friday nights at the Cuba Street night market. Its always a buzz with people out enjoying the amazing food on offer. I get a dumpling for $2 and they are incredible. Ive lived in Auckland and visit regularly there isnt the same vibe or excitement that comes with dining there. Here in Wellington we love our food. We are even named after a famous dish the Beef Wellington. Dont see any famous dishes called Auckland. Bring the credit card down.
10:50AM, 30th Nov 2012