Foodies find their slice of heaven

Few people have been so dedicated to the Food and Wine Classic experience as Wellington couple Fiona and Steve Wellgreen, who took a week off work to attend Hawke's Bay's new 10-day festival.

The pair are self confessed "foodies," and booked a total of seven unique F.A.W.C events two months ago after hearing about it at The Food Show in May.

"[Steve] was sick for most of Wellington on a Plate so we had to give most of our tickets away. Basically we love food, we love wine and we love Hawke's Bay, we try to come up two or three times a year," Fiona says.

Their accommodation was also booked in advance with a few nights spent at the Crown in Ahuriri, before moving to Hawthorne House in Hastings.

With so many events on the weekend it was difficult to choose, but they had not been disappointed yet.

"So far I would have to say the best thing we have attended was One Big Tasty Night," Steve says.

"I have never experienced molecular gastronomy to the degree that James [Beck] did it."

Another highlight was a vertical tasting and four course meal at Craggy Range on Wednesday night.

"We had this amazing cheese there, so we went to the Dutch shop in Havelock North and bought some."

They had also sourced some horse radish to take home after trying it as part of an entree at Trinity Hill.

The couple were enjoying their stay and hoped to return next year.

"It's been really good, we are able to relax and all the events have been really great."