Punters drink in atmosphere at Waiheke Wine and Food Festival

COOKING COMPADRES: All Blacks coach Graham Henry, mayor John Banks and Mad Butcher Peter Leitch

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A celebrity demonstration and cook-off were just two of the attractions at the Waiheke Wine and Food Festival which also offered a pink VIP tent, a wide range of wines and foods to taste and a variety of musical acts to enjoy.

After Auckland City mayor John Banks had learnt how to use a cataplana, All Black coach Graham Henry and the Mad Butcher Peter Leitch took to their barbeques for a giant sausage sizzle.

A lot of banter and a few hundred sausages later, one of the barbeques - donated by Placemakers - was given to Waiheke Hospice by the successful bidder at an auction which raised $1200 for the cause.

First-time organiser of the new-look festival Delyth Morgan-Coghlan of Let Me Out says she wanted to put a unique stamp on the event.

To achieve an outdoor market effect she had two giant canopies erected over the exhibiting vineyards and food stalls with punters offered hay bales for seating.

And a key part she says was to offer "a diverse range of music to appeal to a wide range of people".

"The Beat Girls were a highlight as was the change of tempo when Salmonella Dub came on," she says.

"Let's do it again!"

- Waiheke Marketplace