I had the opportunity to visit the New Zealand School of Food & Wine this week.

I have wandered past their front door in Customs St West on several occasions, always on my way to various meetings, always having a brief ‘I wonder what they do’ moment each time.

And now I know. And it’s pretty cool!!

Given my increasing love of all things food, wine and hospitality, being in their office felt… it felt like coming home. These are my people!

They run culinary, wine, coffee and hospitality courses for people wanting to start their career, and also short courses for people who want to add to their cooking knowledge. And the best thing is that they have practical components on-site at local restaurants. They don’t leave their students hanging with a qualification.

In the week of 13-15 September they are presenting a Wine and Food Celebration on site.

Sessions include ‘Discovering your Palate’ (Celia Hay – working out why you like certain foods and how they influence pairing wine with food), ‘Taste with a Master (Bob Campbell MW talking wine), ‘Italian Wine Regions’ (A tour in your wine glass), an ‘Artisan Food Producers showcase’ and a ‘Coffee Masterclass’.

There will be cooking demonstrations – learning how to ferment foods, how to smoke fish, how to make sourdough bread. You could learn how to create your own doughnut. You can learn about Mexican Street food.

I’m seriously excited.

Find out more and buy your tickets online: event.foodandwine.co.nz.