When a kitchen and a winery share the same governing philosophy, a collaborative dinner carries a creative conviction that ignites the senses. On 17 July, Ember at Grand Millennium Auckland hosts a one-night winemaker’s dinner with North Canterbury’s Mt Beautiful, where each course has been designed to reflect the rhythm of the season and the character of the land from which both producers work. With seats strictly limited, this is one table we recommend securing early.
Executive Chef James Kenny leads a kitchen shaped by serious international experience, with time at Paris, London’s Boxwood, and Copenhagen’s Noma under his belt. The menu draws on seasonal New Zealand produce and applies techniques that make a dish feel both effortless and considered. Mt Beautiful seems like a natural counterpart, producing wines from North Canterbury that are expressive, grounded in place, and crafted with a focus on balance and purity, made possible by the region’s altitude, river systems, and demanding climate. Their Pinot Gris moves through orchard fruit with restrained sweetness; the Chardonnay carries stone fruit and mineral length; the Riesling opens floral and resolves clean. These are wines made for the table, built for the kind of thoughtfully paced, shared experience this dinner is designed to be.
The evening moves through six courses and six matched wines with a clear sense of progression. Mahurangi oyster with finger lime mignonette opens alongside Mt Beautiful’s Sauvignon Blanc; tea-cured Ora King Salmon with nori vinaigrette and fried tapioca follows with the Pinot Gris; a shallot tarte tatin with crème fraîche meets the rosé; leeks with gribiche and pan grattata are paired with the Chardonnay. First Light Wagyu Bavette with malt and shiitake glaze carries the Pinot Noir, and rhubarb and custard choux closes the evening against a floral, citrus-bright Riesling. Each pairing builds on the last rather than simply accompanying it.
At $135 per person, this event is sure to sell out. Book here.
millenniumhotels.com/ember
