German consumers got a sample of what New Zealand lamb can do to the palate at a gourmet food fair held in Stuttgart, Germany last month.
According to Beef + Lamb New Zealand, some 6,000 visitors at the fair got a taste of the best of Kiwi lamb.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand general manager market development, Craig Finch says the kulinart fair was an excellent opportunity to introduce German consumers and media to New Zealand lamb.
“We invest farmer levies to improve demand and positioning for New Zealand meat, and our involvement in this event is part of our strategy to achieve this in the German market. This broader programme also involves in-store tasting activities that introduce German consumers to New Zealand lamb.”
“For the first time, a guest country was chosen to present its best products at kulinart, and we were thrilled that New Zealand was selected. The New Zealand Ambassador to Germany, Peter Rider, had the opportunity to open the fair and talk to visitors about New Zealand ’s plentiful natural resources and our products.”
Chef Christopher Hinze started the two-day programme on the show stage by preparing simple and delicious recipes with New Zealand lamb, interspersed with short tips on the quality of the meat, its tenderness and taste, and its naturalness and nutrients.
“This prompted many visitors to seek out the New Zealand stand afterwards for more information – and more samples of cutlets and mini-steaks.”
New Zealand lamb chef Christian Schiemann says visitors’ attitudes changed from “I don’t like lamb meat” to “wow – unbelievable!” once they’d tried the lamb. In addition to samples, visitors could take away recipe brochures so they could try out New Zealand lamb at home.
Other New Zealand products presented at the guest stand, besides New Zealand lamb, were venison, avocado and macadamia nut oil, manuka honey, and New Zealand wine from a German winegrower in Martinborough.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ltd is the farmer owned industry organisation representing New Zealand ’s sheep and beef farmers.
