28th February 2010

More food outlets to tempt tastebuds at Ellerslie

With more food outlets, double the seating capacity and an express buffet lunch, visitors to this year’s Ellerslie International Flower Show will find plenty of food and beverage options to suit their tastebuds and budget as well as a fast, efficient service.

Christchurch-based venue and events management company Vbase will deliver a complete suite of food and wine options for this year’s event with the emphasis being on providing fresh seasonal fare.

Vbase Food and Beverage Manager Paul Marquardt says the Camshorn Café will have twice the capacity this year offering more food options, including an express buffet lunch.

“The Vbase Experience at Ellerslie in 2010 is focused on providing a wider variety of food and beverage options in more locations throughout the venue, along with a faster more efficient service to reduce queues and improve the experience.

“We will have more than 200 staff on site each day to prepare all the food fresh and provide excellent customer service.”

He says visitors will find a selection of gourmet sandwiches to enjoy among the trees down by the lakes; a high tea of gourmet sandwiches and sweet treats or traditional Devonshire tea with scones, jam and lashings of cream in the Christchurch Airport Lounge; paninis, chicken pot pies, fresh garden salads and a mouth-watering carvery in the Camshorn Café, as well as the new express buffet; and fish and chips, Italian pizzas, chicken burgers, spicy bratwurst rolls and baked potatoes in the Food Court.

This year the Vineyard Wine Bar will serve some of the best South Island wines along with a selection of gourmet antipasto and cheeseboard platters made popular last year in The Forest Bar.

“At the end of their visit to Ellerslie, people are invited to relax in The Forest Bar under the shade of the magnificent North Hagley Park trees with a jug of traditional Pimms cocktail, a premium wine or beer and enjoy a platter, bread board, hot beer-battered fries with aioli or a bratwurst.”

• Ellerslie International Flower Show is New Zealand’s premier week-long Garden Party in Christchurch’s North Hagley Park from 10 to 14 March 2010. The Show celebrates Christchurch’s Garden City heritage and the best of national and international garden design. Check out the website for further information www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz

For further information contact:
Ellerslie International Flower Show Communications Adviser
Jan McCarthy
03 941 6412 or 027 637 7912