After two years of Covid disruption Visa Wellington on a Plate is back! New Zealand’s most innovative food festivals is a month-long celebration of food, beer, burgers and capital culture.
A bumper festival calendar this August includes everything from dishes inspired by historical chicken heists, celebrations of culture and quirky retro throw-backs.
Foodies can take their pick of more than 120 events and pop-ups, visit 200 venues participating in Garage Project presents Burger Wellington, sip up to 80 different tipples as part of Cocktail Wellington presented by Tommy’s, and taste more than 70 different takes of ‘Wellington On a Plate’ with exclusive Dine Wellington festival menus.
Courtesy of Wellington on a Plate / Dine Wellington: Bone-Thugs-n-Truffley at Lulu Bar / Photo Credit: Clément Rebouillat
Festival Director and Chief Executive, Sarah Meikle, says the festival theme for the year is ‘A State Of Flux’, taking into account the fluidity of the past two years, recognising that nothing is constant.“It’s been inspiring to see participants embracing the theme, from shape-shifting cocktails to culinary explorations across space and time” she says.
The 2022 festival launches with The Sea Breeze Inn, a new pop-up concept showcasing New Zealand’s own kaimoana, presenting sustainable seafood in a casual setting, with retro elements given a modern take. The pop-up is in partnership with Visa and Seafood NZ, with long-time collaborator and festival supporter, New Zealand-born celebrity Chef Morgan McGlone. Diners can expect to tuck into fresh takes on classic fish ‘n chip style fare from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 July.
Courtesy of Wellington on a Plate / Photo credit: Jade Lucas
“One of the roles of the festival is to draw people’s attention not only to Wellington’s incredible food and culinary talent, but also to celebrate what’s deliciously unique to New Zealand, and what’s more Kiwi than a classic fish and chip shop?” she adds.
Continuing on the success from 2021 is “The Crossover” weekend where Garage Project presents Burger Wellington alongside Dine Wellington and Cocktail Wellington presented by Tommy’s 12-14 August.
Courtesy of Wellington on a Plate / Photo credit: Clément Rebouillat
There’s big news for Beervana, with the team revealing a fresh new look that brings to life the festivals’ values. Beervana Manager Ryan McArthur says the new brand better represents what the festival looks and feels like. “It’s bright, it’s weird, it’s fun and inventive, just like the brewing industry it showcases. It was important to us that the branding moves away from the usual cliched beer festival motifs, because Beervana is unlike any other beer festival.”
“Beervana is the ultimate celebration of New Zealand’s brewing industry, it’s where we can indulge in the curious, and inspire the innovators in a fantastic setting that welcomes all,” he adds.
Festival Event tickets go on Visa pre-sale for Visa cardholders (debit and credit) from midday June 13 to midnight Jun 15, 2022. General release tickets for both Visa Wellington On A Plate and Beervana go on sale from midday Jun 20, 2022.
The 2022 Visa Wellington On a Plate festival at a glance:
- 200+ venues taking part in Garage Project presents Burger Wellington
- 120+ festival events and pop-ups
- 70+ Dine Wellington dishes that tell the story of “Wellington On a Plate”
- 80+ bars participating in Cocktail Wellington presented by Tommy’s Real Estate
Key festival dates for 2022:
- Opening Event: The Sea Breeze Inn 29 – 31 July
- Visa Wellington On a Plate 1 – 31 August
- Dine Wellington 1 – 14 August
- Beervana 19 – 20 August
- Burger Wellington 12 – 31 August
- Cocktail Wellington – 1 – 31 August
- Visa Wellington On a Plate – Awards 12 September
For the full programme guide and information about the festival visit www.wellingtononaplate.com
Courtesy of Wellington on a Plate, Dine Wellington The Flat White Project at Neo Café & Eatery / Photo Credit: Clément Rebouillat
About Visa Wellington On a Plate
Visa Wellington On a Plate is Wellington’s annual food festival, with a curated programme of festival events, pop-ups, chef collaborations, dishes, cocktails and burgers. Now in its 14th year, Visa Wellington On a Plate is firmly established as a key event in the festival calendar for people across the Wellington region, and New Zealand. Visa has been the principal supporter of the festival since 2010. www.VisaWOAP.com
This year marks a transition for the festival. From 2023 events, pop-ups, Dine Wellington and Cocktail Wellington move to May, while Burger Wellington and Beervana will continue to take place in August.
The Wellington Culinary Events Trust is a not-for-profit trust established in 2014 to run iconic culinary events including Visa Wellington On a Plate, Beervana and Highball.
