Cheeky cow

11/08/2010 10:36:00 a.m.

Zealandia CEO Nancy McIntosh-Ward taste-tests braised beef cheeks.

BEEF cheeks are the new lamb shanks, says Zealandia head chef Craig Dunshea.
Rata, the Karori sanctuary’s new terrace cafe, is doing a main of braised beef cheeks for this month’s food festival Wellington on a Plate.
“I wanted [to make] something a little different,” says Dunshea, who also manages Rata Cafe. “[Beef cheeks] is not something you see in supermarkets.
“Any muscle that is used a lot is more flavoursome - a chicken thigh is more flavoursome than a breast. And cows are always eating.”
Rate Cafe is one of 90 cafes and restaurants serving a two course meal plus a glass of Wellington regional wine and a cup of tea or coffee for $25 in August.
The braised beef cheek dish is served with creamy polenta and broad bean puree (made with mint, parsley and peas). Dunshea says the combination of slow-cooked meat, beef stock – which takes eight hours to make – and crispy parsnip is a must-try seasonal meal with a glass of Instinct Martinborough Pinot Noir.
The main is followed by decadent chocolate brownies with cream and winter compote (flavoured with plums, cardamom pods and cloves).
To end the meal Dunshea recommends one of the cafe’s loose leaf teas.
“Tea is the new coffee,” he says.
We tried the Mint Fusion (natural peppermint and spearmint), Camo Jazz (pure camomile flowers with lemongrass, mint and orange blossom), Island Paradise (dried tropical fruit) and Red Diamond (Rooibos infused with bourbon, vanilla and truffle extract).
Capital Times recommends the Mint Fusion after a meal to cleanse the palate, and the Red Diamond all day every day.
Wellington on a Plate, August 14-29, wellingtononaplate.com.

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Cover Story

Best of Wellington 2011

Fringe Festival

Briefs

From police to employers chamber
JOHN Wills has been appointed as interim chief executive of the Employers Chamber of Commerce (ECCC), effective immediately.
Save the Rhino
A concert this weekend features local performers including Jomba, Skapiti, and Siggy. It is part of an international awareness day to support the petition to the South African government to stop rhino poaching. The Waterfront, Marine Parade, Raumati Beach, 11 February.
Jazzy clouds
The first performance of jazz musician Mike Nock’s choral work Land of the Long White Cloud will be sung by the Orpheus Choir at Soundings Theatre, Te Papa, 18 February. It’s a free concert and only expected to last about 10minutes.
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Share the vision, free
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Indian art money
MORE than a dozen locals are showing and selling their art, at that well known art space, Betty’s Bar on Blair St, to fundraise for the Karunai Dhan primary school in India. From 5pm, February 10.
Star signs
INTERNATIONAL astrologer Faye Cossar, a former Wellingtonian is visiting the city to conduct workshops and a public talk. Cossar is unusual in that she holds a Masters degree in astrology. February 14.
The Great Outdoors
GREATER Wellington’s Great Outdoors summer events programme continues this week with a daughter, mother, grandmother mountain bike ride at Belmont Regional Park on February 12 and an evening guided walk from East Harbour Regional Park on February 8.
Swimming challenge
SWIMMERS looking for a challenge can take up the long-distance summer swim challenge at Wellington City Council pools.
Participants have until April 30 to swim or aquajog 53 kilometres, the distance equivalent to doing a circuit of Lake Mead in Nevada.
The distance covered is recorded by pool staff and there are spot prizes along the way.
On your skates
SOME of the world’s best skaters are in town for Bowl-a-Rama 2012, a week long celebration of skateboard culture.
The competition is at Waitangi Skate Park on February 11, but there are additional events throughout from February 8 to 12, including an art exhibition by local and international skateboarders at 15 Courtenay Place.
Safer outdoors
A new website has been created to make planning for safe outdoor activities easier.
AdventureSmart,org.nz provides safety information and support for those planning land, snow, water, boating and air activities.
Sommerfest
SOMMERFEST, Wellington’s family-friendly food and beer festival, takes place in the Worser Bay Boating Club on February 26.
The annual festival offers a range of boutique beers matched with great food tastes.
Breaking with tradition this year there will also be margaritas from 5pm.

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