Recently, the popular outdoor food reality show "Flavorful Origins" wrapped up filming its New Zealand special in the Hawke’s Bay and Taupo areas on the North Island. As the only Southern Hemisphere location featured this season, New Zealand boasts breathtaking natural wonders and a wide range of outdoor activities. Its world-renowned wines, seafood, and agricultural produce are yet another gift from nature, making this pristine land a true culinary destination.
On the show, Nicholas Tse, founder of Flavorful Origins and celebrity chef, along with his star friend G.E.M., explored local cuisine while also engaging in the region’s rich outdoor activities and cultural history. Tse said, “This is my first time in New Zealand, and it feels like a fairy tale here. In Hawke’s Bay and Taupo, I was constantly surprised and gained a deeper appreciation for the country’s unique charm and relaxing lifestyle from multiple perspectives. There’s not only pristine natural scenery and fresh, diverse ingredients, but most importantly, the wonderful people of New Zealand. I believe after watching the New Zealand episode, viewers will share the same feeling.”
[Catching Fresh Edible Sea Urchins: Nicholas Tse and the Flavorful Kitchen Team Prepare in New Zealand]
Regarding this collaboration, Mr. Gregg Wafelbakker, General Manager of the Asia-Pacific Region at Tourism New Zealand, said: “'Flavorful Origins' is a highly popular food reality show, and we’re honored to have facilitated this partnership. New Zealand is a country proud of its food and passionate about its wine. The Hawke’s Bay and Taupo regions embody New Zealand’s natural ecology, fine wines, delicious cuisine, outdoor sports, and cultural arts. The filming took place during New Zealand’s spring—a perfect time to embrace nature and enjoy outdoor adventures. We hope that through the dual influence of the show and its celebrity participants, more Chinese travelers will choose to visit these areas off-season and experience the distinctive charm of New Zealand in spring and autumn.”
Hawke’s Bay is one of the sunniest regions in New Zealand, earning it the title of the “Fruit Bowl” of the country. It’s also one of New Zealand’s top wine-producing areas, particularly known for its red wines that attract wine enthusiasts from far and wide. Taupo, on the other hand, is famed for Lake Taupo, a stunning lake as vast as Singapore and resembling an inland sea. The area offers a wealth of outdoor recreational activities, including the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, jet boating, skydiving, and geothermal hot springs—whether on the lake, around it, or on the water. Surrounded by picturesque landscapes, it’s a premier destination for outdoor sports.
On the show, New Zealand’s iconic celebrity chef Al Brown challenged Nicholas Tse to a cook-off. To find out if Tse can win the challenge, stay tuned for the New Zealand episode of "Flavorful Origins," premiering in early 2018 on Youku.