Wild West Gourmet Shines at The Food Show Auckland 2024
The Food Show Auckland 2024 was a resounding success, and Wild West Gourmet was thrilled to be part of it. This year, the show attracted more visitors than the previous show, making it a bustling hub of culinary excitement, especially after so many disruptions to these types of events during the pandemic. We were set up in a brand-new feature called Meat Street, which quickly became a popular destination for food enthusiasts!
A Promising Start on Preview Day
The first day of the show was preview day. With restricted ticket sales for this day, preview day is aimed at individuals who prefer a quieter day to view demonstrations and to talk with exhibitors, and to be first through the gate to try out the amazing samples on offer. It also encourages the trades to come through, and it was an excellent opportunity for us to meet and talk with chefs, restaurant owners, and food industry professionals who were on the lookout for new and exciting ingredients to bring to their kitchens and deli’s. The conversations were inspiring, and we were delighted to see the enthusiasm for our products.
Meeting Our Loyal Followers and New Fans
Throughout the four days of the show, we had the pleasure of meeting a diverse range of people. Many visitors had been following Wild West Gourmet and our products for some time and are on our VIP list. It was fantastic to connect with in person, and to hear first hand what is loved about our products. We also met many new faces who had not heard of our products before, and their positive reactions were incredibly encouraging.
The Star of the Show: Kūmara and Banana Chutney
One of the standout moments of the show was the overwhelming response to our brand-new Kūmara and Banana Chutney.
When we were developing this product, our research showed us that there is nothing like this on the market. The fact that it is unique to us is something we are incredibly proud of! In developing Kūmara and Banana Chutney, we wanted it to clearly be a Northland product. We think we’ve achieved this, not only with the flavour of this chutney, but also through the locally grown bananas and kūmara that have gone into it.
This flavourful chutney quickly became our best seller, surpassing our beloved Sweet Pickled Onion Relish, which has held the top spot for quite some time. The feedback from visitors was overwhelmingly positive, and we are thrilled to see our new product being so well received.
If there is something we enjoy more than the flavour of this chutney, it’s the look of trepidation on faces as people approach this seemingly odd combination. They are quickly won over by its sweet, tropical flavours, and they are surprised by its distinct lack of banana flavour.
A Well-Organised Event
The organisers of The Food Show Auckland worked tirelessly to ensure the event was a success. Despite the large number of exhibitors and attendees, we were impressed by the smooth operation and the support we received. Our Sales Executive from Xpo NZ, Lizzie, was a constant presence, checking in with us several times a day to ensure everything was running smoothly. Even in the lead up to the event, when it was clear we’d overlooked things that were needed, Lizzie just took the reins. We could not have been more grateful for her support in the lead up to, and during the event.
A Sense of Community
One of the most remarkable aspects of The Food Show Auckland was the sense of camaraderie amongst the exhibitors. In the New Zealand food scene, none of us are truly competitors. Instead, we all bring something unique to the table, and in many cases, our products complement each other.
This spirit of collaboration and mutual support was evident throughout the show, making it a truly special experience.
We especially enjoyed being close to Rum and Que in the Meat Street feature. We’d met Tracey, co-owner of Rum and Que in the lead up to The Food Show.
Of all of the exhibitors attending The Food Show, Rum and Que and Wild West Gourmet were asked to do a cooking demo for The Sunday Star Times. Having this opportunity to promote ourselves was golden, but being able to meet Tracey, and to then have a familiar face only metres away from us at the show was fantastic.
A Chance for Family Time
Being in Auckland for a show is a highlight for Debbie. As an Aucklander by trade (West Auckland to be precise!), being back ‘home’ is always a good opportunity to catch up with family. When busy with a show or a market, that isn’t always an easy thing to do. For this show, the stars aligned, and a family dinner with Debbie’s brother, sister in law and her youngest niece was a relaxed and enjoyable lead in to the start of a busy show. Debbie’s Mum also attended the preview day with one of her friends (there’s nothing quite like Mum time, no matter how old you get!).
Having no idea that they were planning a visit, we were surprised to look up and see Graeme’s sister and one of her daughters at the corner of our stand! We enjoyed having a quick chat with them, before they continued on to check out the rest of the show.
We’ve been grateful to have this sort of support from family and friends at a number of the shows and markets we’ve attended since we bought the business in December. It’s hard to take the time out to catch up in any great depth, but it means a lot to us to have family and friends swing by to see us, and that can never be overstated!
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we reflect on our experience at The Food Show Auckland 2024, we are filled with excitement for future shows. We are already looking forward to returning in 2025, and we are confident that next year’s show will be even bigger and better. The positive feedback we received and the connections we made have inspired us to continue innovating and bringing new and exciting products to our customers. We can’t wait to see the response at other shows to our Kūmara and Banana Chutney, and we’re looking forward to seeing that sheepish look people get being replaced by a look of surprise, then enjoyment!
The Food Show Auckland 2024 was a fantastic event for Wild West Gourmet. From the enthusiastic response to our Kūmara and Banana Chutney to the meaningful connections we made with both new and loyal customers, the show was a highlight of our year. We are grateful to the organisers for their hard work and to everyone who visited our stand. We can’t wait to see what the future holds and to continue sharing our passion for gourmet food with the world.
Our next show is the NZ Fishing Hunting and 4×4 Show, being held at Rotorua Energy Events Centre, Rotorua, from Friday, 23 August through to Sunday, 25 August. We hope to see you there!