Dunedin's Bracken Restaurant has been selected to take part in a national "Plate of Origin'' competition at this year's New Zealand Agri Investment Week.
Bracken, Dunedin's only restaurant to win a chef's "hat'' in last year's Cuisine Good Food Awards, is one of 20 restaurants selected from across the country to participate in the competition, which involves 10 Manawatu eateries being partnered with restaurants from around the country to create an innovative dish.
The dishes will be judged by a team headed by Cuisine magazine editor, radio show host and food enthusiast Kelli Brett and be available for people to taste during investment week in March at the Manawatu restaurants.
Bracken's owner Ken O'Connell has been paired with Palmerston North's Distinction Hotel's Nosh restaurant chef Mark Harman.
"I'm really looking forward to creating the dish from scratch. The most important part will be trying to keep it simple. It's all about using flavours that marry well together without overcomplicating things.''
Mr O'Connell, who is also part of the New Zealand team that will compete at this year's Culinary Olympics, is a keen proponent of seasonal produce.
"We are very committed to buying and supporting the best local, free-range and organic produce and love to engage directly with small growers.''
Also taking part are last year's Cuisine Good Food Awards' top chef Ben Bayly, of The Grove, and Logan Brown chef Shaun Clouston.
