CRAFT BEER ACADEMY 

12:00pm 

Liberty Brewing: Innovating with Bold Flavours, Burgers and a Twist on Hop Water with Joe Wood 

Liberty Brewing are famous for their bold, hoppy beers but they are taking things in a new direction, with a diversifying portfolio, including a thriving burger bar and their unique alcoholic hop water. Founder Joe Wood talks about Liberty’s resilience and creativity, and why they need new tricks to thrive and survive through tough times. 

1:00pm 

MICHAEL DONALDSON: “15 YEARS OF NEW ZEALAND BEER AND AN ‘ASK ME ANYTHING SESSION” 

Michael Donaldson has been a journalist and writer for 35 years, and after two decades of writing about sport he had a mad idea to start writing about beer in 2010. He’s now a fulltime beer writer, editing and publishing the popular beer magazine Pursuit of Hoppiness. Join him for a journey through the past 15 years of beer in New Zealand and come armed with questions for an “ask me anything” session.

2:00pm 

Southpaw Brewing Makes Waves: New Brighton’s First Brewery and Taproom Opens at Pierside with Cameron Burgess 

Southpaw Brewing are breaking new ground — becoming the first brewery to set up shop in the beachside suburb of New Brighton, including a new taproom. Southpaw founder Camerson Burgess talks about the move to the new Pierside development and what it means for the rebirth of the beachside suburb. 

3:00pm 

Punky Brewster & Distro: Bringing the Best Brews to Christchurch, One Customer at a Time with Rachael Norcross 

Punky Brewster are Christchurch legends when it comes to bringing great beer to the city. They also have a “behind the scenes” business called Punky Distro. Founder Rachael Norcross explains what a distributor does and looks at the current beer scene through the eyes of Punky’s customers — and when it comes to knowing what they want, the customer is always right! 

4:00pm 

From Panhead to Boneface: Mike Neilson’s Brewing Journey 

Mike Neilson is legendary for Panhead Custom Ales, the brewery he founded in 2012 and sold to Lion for $15 million just three years later. Last year, after leaving Panhead, he stepped back into the brewing arena, with his wife Anna, buying Boneface Brewing, located in Upper Hutt’s booming beer and entertainment precinct, Brewtown.  Born and bred in Upper Hutt, Mike talks about his journey in beer and what he hopes to achieve with Boneface.

COOKING THEATRE 

12:00pm: Transform your BBQ Leftovers

Karl Fisher – Flamin’ Tomahawks BBQ

Come and join Karl, the founder of Flamin’ Tomahawks, as he shares genius tips to transform your smoked BBQ leftovers into mouthwatering new dishes.  Elevate your barbecue game and make every bite count!  Catch Flamin’ Tomahawks catering your next event, or at local markets and festivals, serving up succulent smoked meats and their iconic Croissant Smash burgers. 

1:00pm: Take a Journey to Italy with Clotilde 

Clotilde Romano – La Dolce Vita Cooking School 

Let Clotide guide you on a delicious journey through Italian cuisine. Learn to create fresh, homemade egg fettuccine with a rich Neapolitan sauce and master the art of the perfect tiramisù. Buon Appetito! 

2:00pm – Beer-Smoked Salmon Masterclass 

Nik Mavromatis – Akaroa Salmon 

Nik, a seasoned chef with a global career, is renowned for his culinary expertise, from founding The Bicycle Thief on Latimer Square to contributing food and wine columns and being featured in publications like Kai and Culture. His creative flair even extends to ceramics, showcased in Tina Duncan’s cookbook Plated. These days, Nik takes Akaroa King Salmon to new heights, sharing it with the world. In his upcoming session, he’ll demonstrate how to smoke-roast salmon on a cherrywood plank, perfectly marinated in Beer Baroness Cherry Crush Sour—a must-see for food lovers and craft beer enthusiasts alike! 

3:00pm – A meal that’s too late for breakfast, but a little too early for lunch! 

Nick Tatom – Executive Chef at Majestic Mayfair 

With over 18 years of culinary experience, Nick has mastered the art of creating unforgettable dishes. If you’re ready to take your Sunday brunch to the next level, don’t miss Chef Nick’s seminar. He’ll show you how to transform classic brunch staples with innovative twists, turning your mornings into something truly extraordinary. Get inspired to elevate your brunch game! 

4:00pm – Gary’s Guide to Perfect Pies and Pastries 

Gary Miller 

Join Gary for an entertaining demonstration on crafting irresistible pies, pastries, and other classic British treats. With his expert tips and clever tricks, you’ll master the art of creating delicious eats that are sure to wow your family and friends. Get ready to elevate your baking game and bring joy to every gathering with these crowd-pleasing delights! 

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