2013 has been a bumper year for Gourmantic with over 330 articles published. It’s been a privilege to travel, dine, drink and visit some of the best establishments and meet the inspirational talent behind them.
In the last 12 months, we had the pleasure of meeting international guests including Dita Von Teese for Cointreau, Dan Aykroyd from Crystal Head Vodka, TV Chef Anjum Anand from the UK, Bill Samuels Jr of Maker’s Mark, Graham Coull Master Distiller of Glen Moray, Ger Buckley, Master Cooper Jameson Irish Whiskey, Mazen Hajjar of 961 Craft Beer from Lebanon, and many more global spirit ambassadors.
We had the privilege of visiting Queenstown and Central Otago for the first time on a media trip. We fell in love with the town and the people, and tasted some amazing produce and Pinot Noir from the region.
Dining out has been an interesting melting pot in 2013 with burgers and fast food taking centre stage but the standout dining experience was beyond any doubt the degustation dinner at Sixpenny with visiting French chef Sven Chartier.
We’ve had a lot of fun covering major awards such as the Air New Zealand Wine Awards in Queenstown and closer to home, Bartender Magazine Bar Awards, GQ Men of the Year Awards, ABC delicious. Produce Awards and Time Out Bar Awards.
I’ve had the privilege of judging the Australasian Whisky Awards 2013, Laird’s Applejack Cocktail Competition, the Mix It to Fix It Female Bartender Competition, a leg of the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge as well as voting on a couple of industry awards. I made an appearance in the S#!t People Say To Aussie Bartenders video and page 3 of the Sunday Telegraph for this story.
We’ve had other projects on the quiet such as writing for a yet-to-launch international website and we’ve been commissioned for photographic work for The World Class 50: The Definitive Drinking Guide.
But the singular highlight of 2013 was the honour of being named in Australian Bartender Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential List.
As of Friday 20th December 2013, Gourmantic will be on a break and will return on Monday 13th January 2014. During the holiday period, Gourmantic will auto update with a lite, summer edition. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you the happiest of times this Christmas period and the best for a successful 2014.
Thank you for your support in 2013 and we look forward to sharing more travel, food, drink and good times with you in our fifth year.
Corinne & Kevin
I’d say it’s been a good year for Gourmantic! Happy holidays, enjoy the break and look forward to seeing more in the new year!