Decent feed for 1000 long lunch guests

BERNARD CARPINTER

SUMMER LUNCH: Alison Cochrane from Auckland at last year's event with her splendid hat made specially for the occasion.

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How is this for a hefty lunch bill – one hundred thousand dollars?

That is the total tab for Napier's 10th Great Long Lunch on Sunday, when a record 1000 guests will gather in the Marine Pde gardens to sample what star Wellington restaurateur Steve Logan calls "a decent feed".

His restaurant Logan Brown, supreme winner in the 2009 Cuisine Restaurant of the Year competition, has designed this year's menu and Mr Logan said there would be an emphasis on fresh Hawke's Bay produce.

The three courses will feature salmon, lamb and fruit, but further details are a secret till the guests sit down. "We're not trying to do anything complicated, with a thousand guests to feed, but we will provide good bold flavours," Mr Logan said.

He and business partner Al Brown will attend the event while Hawke's Bay company Dish Catering does the hands-on work of preparing the food.

Napier woman Pam McGarva, 51, has been to the past nine lunches and says she is looking forward to the 10th. "It starts at 1pm and we never leave before 6.30pm," she said yesterday.

"It's quality food, good Hawke's Bay wine, and a long social time eating and drinking outside."

Napier Inner City marketing manager Meg Rodel said the $100 tickets for the 10th anniversary lunch went on sale in September and sold out in five weeks.

"We have guests coming from Canada and Britain, and in New Zealand, from Auckland to Dunedin," she said.The tables will be arranged in a U-shape 250 metres long. If it rains, the event will be moved to the old National Tobacco building in Ahuriri.

- © Fairfax NZ News