We all know Visa Wellington On a Plate is the capital's time to shine. With killer events and irresistible eats on every corner, there's truly no better time to be a Wellingtonian. Burgers and cocktails might be what comes to mind first, but the world of WOAP is so much wider. A festival of culinary creativity, the epic event list is a mishmash of all your favourite eateries and their wildest degustation dreams.
In the time of WOAP, nothing is too outlandish. From immersive themed dinners and sensory experiments to adults-only menus, there are plenty of exclusive food experiences that will blow your mind and have your tastebuds cheering. We've got the scoop on the hottest events coming up this year and if our intuition is anything to go by, you'll want to get tickets booked quick.
Without further ado, here are 6 spectacular Visa Wellington On a Plate events that you just can't miss in 2022.
A Meal With Tony: Take Your Hat Off
Ombra
This year, Ombra is putting on A Meal with Tony, a dinner party channelling The Sopranos in the most delicious way possible. The perfect combo of nostalgia and creativity, this immersive dining experience will unite fans of the classic crime drama and lovers of seriously good Italian food (though we suspect there’ll be more than a little overlap). Menu-wise, think gabagool, ziti, involtini, cannoli and, of course, chicken soup for the soul. Oh, and don’t forget about the iconic finale of onion rings. A one-way ticket to suburban New Jersey, this fan-favourite restaurant is taking its well-loved cuisine to delectably dangerous heights.
Plant Power By Bangs
Bangs and Burger Liquor
Time to don your flower crown, Plant Power by Bangs is going to be a swinging 60s soiree. Hosted on Burger Liquor’s turf, these guys are going to be slinging plant-based burgs and jamming to The Beatles all night long—sounds like our kind of vibe! This Plant-Powered Party is the perfect place to let your hair down and enjoy some delicious eco-conscious kai with colourful cocktails. Dressing up is encouraged, so channel your inner hippie, layer on the tie-dye, and take a groovy trip back in time with an otherworldly veggie burger in hand.
Sex And Food: A Burlesque Dining Event
Foxglove Bar & Kitchen
Not for the faint of heart, Sex and Food is giving a whole new meaning to dinner and a show. On the dinner front, you’ll enjoy a decadent four-course meal, carefully crafted with exquisite ingredients. And for the show? It’s burlesque, baby! Each moreish course is accompanied by showstopping performances that are rated 18+ for a reason (make sure to leave the kids at home for this one). From the glass of cuvée on arrival to the iconic host—beloved drag king Hugo Grrrl—you don’t want to let tickets to this delightfully scandalous occasion slip through your fingers.
The Orb Of Power
L'affare
Calling all comic book fans, The Orb of Power is the superhero-themed feast of a lifetime. Guests—or rather, fellow super-beings—are invited to gather around for a magical three-course dinner with the otherworldly cocktails to match. From costumes to quizzes to fantastical decor, this celebration will win the hearts of all the superhero lovers in the capital. If you’ve got a little luck on your side, you might even win the mystical orb of power itself. With a touch of mystery and a sprinkle of magic, this unmissable Welly On A Plate Event is the fantasy world we’ve all wanted to escape to.
The Four Seasons Of Fragrance And Flavour
WORLD
The team at WORLD are treating us to The Four Seasons of Fragrance And Flavour and it’s nothing short of indulgent. A story of complexity, excitement, and luxury, this event combines WORLD’s finest fragrances with Canapé Company’s lush canapé flights and bespoke J.M.R. cocktails. It’s the ultimate evening sensory pleasure, not to mention the perfect way to fall in love with a new perfume (go on, treat yourself). Led by experts both culinary and cosmetic, you’ll be in for an evening where scent and taste collide in the most titillating way.
In The Mood For Love
Porno Donuts And Havana Bar & Restaurant
If you’ve ever wanted to eat nothing but doughnuts for dinner, we’ve got good news for you. Two Wellington all-stars—Porno Donuts and Havana Bar & Restaurant—have joined forces to bring you In the Mood for Love, a three-course evening of dinner and cocktails designed entirely around doughnuts. Safe to say, we’re pretty psyched. This delicious collab pays homage to the cult classic film by the same name, coupling the classy ambience of 1960s Hong Kong with doughnut-themed culinary magic. Helmed by a pair of the capital’s best chefs, this is a Welly On A Plate event you’re not going to want to miss.
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Image credit: Visa Wellington On a Plate 2022, Tony McKay, HBO.