Rick Stein, one of the world’s top chefs, who visits New Zealand this August with his first ever theatre show Rick Stein’s Food Odyssey, has announced Mark Sainsbury as his co-host – the presenter of TV One’s popular current affairs programme Close-Up, and a self-confessed ‘foodie’.
“I’ve got a few passions in life, one of which is food, and if you get the opportunity to hang out with one of the world’s greatest chefs you want it to be Rick Stein,” enthused Mr Sainsbury. “I met Rick last year, interviewed him, saw him in action in the kitchen and now I get to join him on the theatre stage… it doesn’t get any better.”
Mark is to co-host Rick Stein’s Food Odyssey in Auckland on 4 and 5 August at the ASB Theatre, The Aotea Centre, The Edge, and on 7 and 8 August at the St James Theatre, Wellington.
Rick Stein’s Food Odyssey will give audiences the unique opportunity to see a master chef in action as he and guest chefs prepare an array of dishes, from fishy favourites in Cornwall, to vibrant and colourful Mediterranean cuisine, onwards to the light spicy flavours of South-East Asia and culminating in a unique New Zealand dish. Throughout this two-hour culinary experience Mark Sainsbury will chat to Rick about his recipes and travels, interspersed with stories and footage from Rick’s TV series.
Rick Stein is known for his passion for quality fresh food, sustainable fishing and farming practices and travel, with his many TV series illustrating his love of local produce, the growers, and the countries and communities he has visited. His knowledgeable, accessible and endearing style not only reflects his love of fresh produce – and unashamed fondness for all things ‘fish’ – but his ability to weave in social, cultural and historical information takes his programming out of the realm of a simple ‘cooking show’, and as such Rick’s programmes regularly feature in the networks’ top-rating series making him one of the most popular international chefs in their line-up.
Rick Stein’s Food Odyssey is sure to be a lively conversational piece of theatre, given that both Stein and Sainsbury are enthusiastic, forthright and larger-than-life personalities. In announcing his co-host Rick Stein said “Mark and I met on my previous visit to New Zealand and instantly hit it off. He is great fun and shares many of my passions in life. I’m greatly looking forward to sharing the stage with him – a new arena for both of us – and to inviting the audience to join us as we take them on a culinary journey.”
Rick Stein started out 35 years ago, opening a seafood restaurant on the north coast of Cornwall in the south-west of England, and soon his passion for food saw his Cornish business expand to now encompass five restaurants and a pub; a delicatessen, patisserie and gift shop; a cookery school; and 40 hotel rooms across a portfolio of boutique properties. He also co-owns with his fiancee Sarah Burns, the award-winning restaurant Rick Stein At Bannisters at Mollymook on the south coast of New South Wales in Australia and is a shareholder in Tower Estate winery in the famous Hunter Valley.
His latest TV series, Rick Stein’s Food Odyssey will be screening on Prime TV later this year, and the cookery book accompanying the series is described by its publisher Random House as extremely popular among cooking enthusiasts. His earlier series Rick Stein’s Seafood Lovers’ Guide currently screens on SKY’s Food TV.
Wellingtonian Mark Sainsbury has been a familiar TV personality for years, in a career which has seen him work through the night as TV ONE’s European Correspondent, do seven days a week on the political beat, and in 2006 combine working as support host of Close-Up with his late night talk show About Now.
With Rick Stein’s popularity spreading, local New Zealand companies are also getting in on the action and many regional producers are ensuring Rick uses their produce on stage. Among those on board are Smeg, official large appliance partner for the show, 100% Kiwi Matapiro olive oil, and Matakana Coast representing a variety of wine growers and food suppliers all offering their fresh, local produce.
For those eager to meet the celebrity chef, VIP tickets are available which include pre-show cocktails with Rick Stein, and a Rick Stein branded shopping bag containing a signed programme, a Rick Stein cookery book, a shopping voucher and other items of Rick Stein and sponsor gifts.
Ticketing information
RICK STEIN’S FOOD ODYSSEY
AUCKLAND
ASB Theatre, AOTEA CENTRE, THE EDGE
2 shows onl y – Wednesday 4 August 8pm, Thursday 5 August 2pm
Call 0800 BUY TICKETS or 09 357 3355 or buytickets.co.nz
GROUPS 12+ SAVE! Call 09 357 3354 or buytickets.co.nz
WELLINGTON
St James Theatre
2 shows onl y – Saturday 7 August 7.30pm, Sunday 8 August 1pm
Call 0800 TICKETEK (0800 842 538) or 04 384 3840 (from a mobile) or ticketek.co.nz
GROUPS 12+ SAVE! Call 04 384 3842 or ticketek.co.nz
Source: Scoop
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