By Patrick Avenell
SYDNEY, NSW: The Good Food & Wine Show travelling circus kicks off in Melbourne tomorrow, with a variety of appliance brands showcasing new products to the trade, the media and consumers.
Fisher & Paykel is one of the biggest hitters this year, with the New Zealand company sponsoring the Celebrity Theatre, ensuring its cooking appliances are promoted to every foodie that visits the Convention and Exhibition Centre between Friday and Sunday (3-5 June 2011).
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General manager, marketing, Peter Russell is using this high concept presence to dispel a myth he believes is growing in the community: that European designs are the most stylish.
“In addition to flawless performance we recognise there’s an emotional dimension to crafting the perfect ovens, cooktops and rangehoods,” he said. “It’s important that consumers appreciate the uncompromising quality, innovation and styling behind our category-leading appliances and feel proud to have them in their home.”
“Of course there’s still a blind assumption with some consumers that a European brand is always best. We’re challenging that thinking because when it comes to design, performance and value for money we believe are every bit as good, if not better.”
Meagan Curry, assistant product manager for beverage and toaster products at Sunbeam, said she will be exposing visitors to the zeitgeist art of cupcake making this weekend.
“We are delighted to announce that our highly interactive cupcake decorating classes have been extended due to popular demand," she said. "We will now be hosting three cupcake decorating classes, where attendees can adorn cupcakes after learning how to make a delicious batch using the Sunbeam Pattie.
“Visitors to the event will also be given the chance to master the art of making espresso and texturing milk thanks to our coffee making classes, which are a condensed version of Sunbeam’s Coffee School, taught by professional baristas."
Other exhibitors at the Melbourne show this year include Costco, Haier, Ilve, Lavazza, Nespresso, SodaStream and Vintec.
The Good Food & Wine Show moves on from Melbourne to Sydney and Perth in July, Adelaide in October and Brisbane in November.