|
|
 |
|
The Netherlands did not even make the tournament, and Japan exited at the conclusion of the first round, but players from both countries may be the biggest beneficiaries of the Rugby World Cup.
A nationwide survey of restaurants, cafés and bars by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand shows that the first week of the Rugby World Cup 2011 may have delivered thousands to Party Central and the Auckland CBD, but there was no windfall for most independent operators.
Even before the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony kicked off on Friday night, spending through Paymark’s network had noticeably picked up, and is now surging in pockets around the country.
Because it was the opening event of the Rugby World Cup, and because the British commentator on all things New Zealand, erstwhile rugby hack, Peter Bills, had recently bagged local restaurants and service in general, and those of Viaduct establishment, Kermadec in particular, my wife and I took ourselves off to Kermadec to experience for ourselves World Cup festivities, Auckland style.
So here we are on the eve of the much celebrated Rugby World Cup 2011, with the focus firmly on the All Blacks and the hospitality community that is expected to socially lubricate our visitors to such a degree that they will never forget us.
“It’s no more complicated than having guests come to dinner,” says Martin Snedden, chief executive of Rugby New Zealand 2011 and the man charged with making the Rugby World Cup a success.
It is Rugby World Cup time and we have problems with our wingers, without whom we cannot possibly win. Wingers were what we called waiters when I first went on a restaurant floor, especially if they were any good.
Just days out from the Rugby World Cup kick off, and the man in charge of the “Stadium of Four Million”, Mayor Len Brown has called in the committee on red tape to address pressing issues of hospitality regulation raised by local operators.
Steinlager has created a virtual mantelpiece on Facebook, where people can upload photos of their white can as a pledge of unconditional support and belief in the All Blacks.
The Pacific is being packed into Auckland’s Cloud, in a free three-day event showcasing the best of the region to Kiwis and international visitors arriving for the Rugby World Cup.
A one-off season extension will allow Bluff oysters to be served during the Rugby World Cup.
Villa Maria Auckland will soon host its inaugural Festival in the Vineyard.
foodnews sponsors
|
|
|
|
|
|
foodnews network
|
|
|
|
|
|
