Travel through Asia at Wellington on a Plate

With travel off the horizon for some time, Wellingtonians can still look forward to the flavours of the world coming to them for the annual Wellington on a Plate (WOAP) festivities. 

Wellington on a Plate started in 2009 and takes over the city every August. Supplied/Wellington on a Plate

Each year, during New Zealand’s coldest months, WOAP celebrates the region’s culinary scene and this time around, there’s a great selection of events covering the continent of Asia, from Kashmir to Korea. 

Here at the Asia Media Centre, we’ve pulled out a few places and events you might be interested in dropping by during August: 

WELLINGTON FOOD STORIES SPEAKER SERIES I TE PAPA

Every Tuesday evening throughout August, Te Papa's Te Marae Rongomaraeroa is hosting a series of talks on the Wellington food scene and its history, as told by members of different immigrant communities. On August 10, Esther Fung from the Wellington Chinese Association will speak about the cookhouses that appeared in the early 20th century to cater for the Chinese community in Haining St and how Wellington's Chinese food scene has grown since then.  

The Wellington Food Stories Speaker Series takes a dive into the histories and stories of Wellington's different immigrant communities. Supplied/Wellington on a Plate

Following on from that, on August 24, High Commissioner for Malaysia, Her Excellency Ms Nur Izzah Wong Mee Choo will cover Wellington's enduring love for Malaysian food. 

For the full range of speakers, check out the event listing linked above. 

TUESDAYS IN AUGUST, 5.15PM-5.45PM
FREE

CHAAT STREET I LTD

Have you ever tried chaat? These street food snacks are found in roadside stalls and restaurants all across India and are filled with crunch, spice and tang. Every person and every place has their own twist on the snack too, so finding your way through all of them could take a lifetime - although LTD may be the place to start. 

Come along and experience not just history, but the Indian cuisine you’ve never heard of. Brought to you by Vaibhav Vishen, ex-Head Chef of Spring Kitchen by DoubleTree by Hilton and Mr Go’s.

AUGUST 4 AND 5, 9AM - LATE
FREE ENTRY, PAY ON CONSUMPTION

While the street food snack chaat varies across India, you need to start somewhere, which is where LTD steps in. Supplied/Wellington on a Plate

KAMAYAN BOODLE FIGHTER I MASTER KONG

Kamayan banquets are Filipino banquets known as "Boodle Fights" because customers frequently fought over the best elements of the dish. When creating this dish, and with the "Boodle Fights" in mind, Chef Rupert wanted to pay homage to his teams' culinary journey from all over the globe to Wellington while incorporating his Philippino legacy.

Each member of the Master Kong team has offered a tasty morsel that represents their culinary heritage which will compete on the Kamayan banana leaf plate. This is a style of food that encourages communal eating and is considered the ultimate shared plate where everyone grazes the same feast. Made by our team served, for your team to fight over.

AUGUST 1 - 15
TICKETS $48

SATYA CHAI LOUNGE TAKEOVER I CHOW

The street food-inspired journey continues as Auckland chef Sammy Akuthota takes over Chow for a day of Indian snacks and curries - with a cocktail or two.

Chow will be hosting chef Sammy Akuthota for a street food-inspired journey. Supplied/Wellington on a Plate

Akuthota takes inspiration from his own favourite foods and recipes handed down by family to serve up dishes such as Goan-spiced ‘kurryage’ chicken and cheesy deep-fried paneer to Indian yakitori.

Don't miss out on Akuthota's pop-up store running throughout the day, featuring spices from his Satya spice shop.

AUGUST 8, 11.30AM - LATE
FREE ENTRY, PAY ON CONSUMPTION

SOUTH EAST ASIA STREET FOOD MEETS FIVE STAR I CHAMELEON RESTAURANT

Come on a culinary journey through South-East Asia, eating your way through small snacks to sharing-style curries, all washed down with cocktails. Chameleon will be transforming their menu and evoking the flavours of the street markets found across South-East Asia - with a few luxury twists.

AUGUST 4 - 7, 12PM - 2PM
FREE ENTRY, PAY ON CONSUMPTION

Banner image: Kamayan Boodle Fighter/Wellington on a Plate

- Asia Media Centre