Al gives us the big tick

Source Keri Molloy Bay Chronicle Nov 2010

We’re the first of the provinces targeted by celebrated Wellington chef Al Brown for a new television series for foodies.

ning Al and Steve Logan own Wellington’s award-winning restaurant Logan Brown. They were Wellingtonians of the Year in 2009 and hosts of the Hunger for the Wild TV series.

Al focused on local produce at the Bay of Islands Farmers Market in Kerikeri on Sunday and on Monday he cooked up a feast, with Kerikeri chef Colin Ashton in the kitchen at Food at Wharepuke.

“Farmers markets are a window on their provinces. Yours is wicked. What I will be doing in this series – this is the first episode – is getting together with local foodies to create two or three dishes, giving my take on the area.”

Enjoying the results of his morning in the kitchen were deputy mayor Ann Court and Genevieve Hildreth, who produces an historic line of Maori potatoes.

Al says his preconceptions about the Far North initially included kumara, citrus, avocado and the ocean but he has found much more.

“It’s a journey of discovery,” he says.

Ms Court says she’ll willingly fill in for the mayor any time on this kind of job.

“I was extremely spoilt getting to be Al Brown’s guinea pig.”

The series is to screen mid-2011.