A celebration of Hawke’s Bay Food and Chardonnay in Tauranga!

In this outrageous collaboration, Kitchen Takeover has joined forces with an award-winning chef, two incredible Hawke’s Bay winemakers and Tauranga’s most talented sommelier for a celebration of all things Chardonnay.

Hosted by Saint Wine Bar on The Strand, we’ve brought together the culinary talents of Sam Clark from Central Fire Station in Napier, Ollie Powrie of Chateau Garage, Oscar Bish from Tony Bish Wines and the irrepressible, indestructible Charles Leong, sommelier supreme.

New Zealand Chardonnay is in the midst of a major revival, as vines mature and growers and winemakers explore the potential of one of the most well-known grape varieties. Hawke’s Bay Chardonnays are now rivalling those of Burgundy.

Ollie, Oscar and Charles will each select two delicious Chardonnays - which Sam and his team will expertly match over four divine courses celebrating produce from Hawke’s Bay. 

This is one for the Chardonnay obsessed and the Chardonnay curious. You will not want to miss it!

What? 4-course dinner paired with 6-Chardonnay tastings

When? Thursday 26th and Friday 27th June 2025 | 6.30pm - late 

Where? Saint Wine Bar, 105 The Strand, Tauranga

How much? $185pp  

Sam Clark is executive chef and co-owner of Central Fire Station in Napier.  Named Cuisine Food Awards Best Regional Restaurant 2023/24 and awarded a two-hat rating year on year, Sam and his team create stunning yet simple food, showcasing great Hawke's Bay produce.  He can trace his culinary roots back to his grandmother Joy's Raglan kitchen, where farm-to-table cooking shaped his enduring philosophy of stunning simplicity.

Ollie Powrie of Chateau Garage is a small-batch winemaker from Hawke’s Bay and yes, you guessed right—Ollie crafts his wines in his garage since handpicking an abandoned row of Chardonnay more than 20 years ago.  That was a hobby for two decades, while studying viticulture and winemaking in Hawke's Bay, then eventually becoming chief viticulturist for Villa Maria Estate where he was mentored by Sir George Fistonich. Now he is the talent behind both Chateau Garage and Albarino Brothers.

Tony Bish is known as the Chardonnay King.  In 2014 he established his independent label Tony Bish Wines, where his son Oscar Bish works alongside him.  Tony and Oscar are dedicated to his passion, only making Hawke’s Bay Chardonnays. The inspiration came about after a trip to Burgundy many years ago - the total dedication to white wines made exclusively from Chardonnay was compelling. Tony was the pioneer of the Egg Fermenters in NZ, with the Zen Chardonnay considered a world first wine.  

Saint Wine Bar’s, Charles Leong has an infectious enthusiasm for delicious wine, and he also has the happy knack of helping a wide array of people understand what they’re enjoying. Charles has been named one of the top 3 sommeliers in New Zealand and his experience and legend extends throughout Australia too. His former colleagues in some of Sydney’s finest establishments used to joke that when he opened the bar, he wouldn’t turn the lights on; he’d turn the dark off. Charles invites people to go on a wine journey with him.