Visa Wellington On A Plate: Eat Your Art Out-Edible Souvenir Shop

Step into a wonderful world of edible art and culinary curiosities…

Wellington’s first and only edible souvenir shop, Eat Your Art Out showcased our dynamic city through food. Part of the Visa Wellington On A Plate 2018 line-up, the event offered edible artworks and souvenirs inspired by the special landmarks and locations that give Wellington its unique character.

The shop featured a range of locally hand-crafted treats & indulgent beverages for visitors to try onsite or take away as gifts. Nine fantastic edible souvenirs, from “Moon pops” which contained images of the moon taken through the telescope at the Carter Observatory, to an edible map of the city and brightly coloured chocolate coffee mousse inspired by the Bucket Fountain, showcased Wellington.

Eat Your Art Out took visitors on a culinary adventure. With a range of playful fun food and beverages on offer, the edible souvenir shop offered people a new way to look at their city, art and food.

The Souvenirs:

Tarnished Chocolate Letters, Wellington Waterfront Walkway/Ara Moana

Inspired by the winds that blast our fair shores and the writers walk that adorns the walkway, this souvenir featured Dark couverture chocolate letters infused with the flavours of wind. The poem, Taste of Wind which swirls and blows amongst the letters formed the inspiration for the three wind flavours: Dark and heavy winds with a taste of salt (Sea salt ); Clear or silver winds like sweet water (Crystallised Fennel); White hot winds with a face of dust (Roasted coconut, chilli).

Bucket mousse, Bucket Fountain, Cuba Street

Cuba Street is at the heart of what makes our great city, vibrant, colourful and a little bit quirky it is perhaps best epitomised by the iconic Bucket Fountain. Just like Cuba Street, these white chocolate mousses (made from local organic Zany Zeus cream) are flavoured with coffee and a hidden edgy layer of crunchy spiced dark chocolate and coconut praline.

Moonpops in the Night Sky, Carter Observatory/Space Place

Space Place is housed in Carter Observatory, New Zealand’s longest-serving national observatory. Inspired by this iconic structure that sits atop the Botanic gardens this peppermint lollipop features a half-moon image taken from the Ruth Crisp Telescope here in Wellington by their Senior Science Communicator Haritina Mogosanu.

Suite Strawberry & Cream Sherbet, {Suite} Gallery, 241 Cuba Street

Ans Westra’s photo of children getting into a tin of milk powder and the pink door of {Suite} Gallery was the muse for this gourmet sherbet made from freeze-dried strawberries. Ans Westra is responsible for the most comprehensive documentation of Māori culture over 60 years of significant political and cultural change.
{Suite} manages Ans’ print archive and copyright, and maintains a space dedicated to celebrating the artist’s lifetime of work and images.

Bird Biscuit Postcards, Zealandia Ecosanctuary, Karori

These sweet basil and lemon postcards pay homage to the unique native birds that fly freely in Zealandia Ecosanctuary, lighting up the valley with their colour and birdsong. Share the magic and send some birdmail to someone you love.

Folded Lands, Various Wellington Landscapes and Islands

Wellington is graced with a variety of rugged and picturesque landscapes from the city harbour to the Kapiti Coast. These raspberry Gummies are made from custom moulds by Kapiti Maker Judith Le Harivel, and are based on Kapiti Island, Matiu/Somes Island, Orongorongo, Te Ahumairangi Hill, Porirua Hills.

Mulled Chocolate Wine, Wairarapa

Driving over the hill from Wellington City, you uncover a region rich in food and wine that has a lot to offer the culinary traveler. A rich mulled chocolate wine with dark chocolate, Pinot noir and spices celebrates the delights available.

Botanical Brew, Botanic Gardens, Kelburn

With a variety of scents, colours and sounds the Botanic gardens provides a perfect spot to while away an afternoon. Get lost in the magic of the gardens with this tea made from brightly coloured camellia flowers, rosehips and the delicious scents of lemon verbena and geranium. Created by Homegrown Herbal Apothecary this tea oozes with botanic gardens inspired charm.

Crunchy Cartography – an edible map

Rediscover your passion for geography with this edible map of Wellington noting all the delectable souvenirs on display. A sweet lemon and basil biscuit topped with a beautiful illustration this is one item you will definitely want to admire before devouring.The beautiful images that top the bird biscuits and edible maps were created by talented local designer Fern Grant.