The Dish

Book it, eat it, buy it . . .

SNOW BUSINESS

If you’re a fan of carving it up on the slopes — and of the apres-ski vibe that goes with any winter playground worth its salt — Queenstown is where you want to be come the colder months. Luxury champagne house Veuve Clicquot will hold its annual Clicquot in the Snow festival from Thursday, August 3 to Sunday, August 6, promising four days of premium activities and experiences. Among them is a runway show by footwear designer Kathryn Wilson at the Milford Sound Flight Hangar, a long lunch at Rata, featuring a four-course degustation menu designed by Josh Emett, and high tea at Skyline Queenstown.

New to this year’s event is VIP experience Clicquot Croquet in the Snow, which involves a scenic helicopter to a snowy peak for a flute of champagne and a round of “the highest croquet in the Southern Hemisphere”.

Coronet Peak will again play host to the Cliquot Snow Bar, and this year’s closing party will be inspired by Clicquot Rosé. Visit Clicquotinthesnow.co.nz

SPREAD THE WORD: Send your latest food products, openings, events and news to viva@nzherald.co.nz

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EML

Congratulations to Eat My Lunch, which celebrates its second birthday on June 8. The social enterprise founded by Lisa King and chef Michael Meredith, which operates a “buy one, gift one” model has delivered more than 400,000 lunches to children in 46 low-decile schools in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington. Visit Eatmylunch.nz to find out how you can get involved.

MAKE A DATE

• You’re invited to Mercy Hospice Auckland’s annual fundraising event 10 — A Celebration of Tastes (pictured), which this year will be held at the Pullman Auckland on Sunday, June 11 from 11am. Ten of Auckland’s best restaurants, including Ebisu, O’Connell St Bistro and Sails, will present entree-sized dishes alongside New Zealand wines from the likes of Westbrook Wines, Babich, Soho and Te Kairanga. MC Kate Hawkesby will entertain 350 guests, who will have the chance to bid on auction items, including BMW car packages, a return trip to Fiji and art from Dick Frizzell. For tickets, $250, visit Mercyhospice.org.nz

• Beirut will unveil its latest menu from new chefs Alexandre Vallee (ex The Grove) and Sam Campbell on Wednesday, May 31. A Night at Beirut sees guests treated to a drink on arrival, amuse bouche and three courses matched with wines from boutique vineyard De La Terre. Alexandre and De La Terre winemaker and vineyard owner Tony Pritchard will also speak at the event. For tickets, $100, contact justine@beirut.co.nz. 85 Fort St, Auckland Central. Visit Beirut.co.nz

• You have a few weeks to prepare yourself for this year’s international Moet Party Day on Saturday, June 17, which gives guests carte blanche to enjoy as many #moetmoments as they can during an evening of fun. The idea is to gather at the participating New Zealand bars in Auckland (Rec) and Christchurch (Baretta) from 7pm for “champagne, music and glamour”. Bespoke Moet & Chandon cocktails are being designed for the night and there are some other treats in store. 38 Customs St East, Britomart; 174 St Asaph St, Christchurch. Visit Moet.com