Food events. They're the culinary playgrounds where food fans savour fresh New Zealand produce that has been cured, grilled, poached, sautéed and more.

And at this year's Auckland Food Show, our nation's talented food producers bring us yet another expert preparation: 'wood roasted'.

The Auckland Food Show is once again playing home to the salmon aficionados from Regal Salmon, who are teaming up with food personalities Nadia Lim, Kelly Young and the effervescent Sachie Nomura to teach us a thing or two about "hot smoked" fish.

Coated with a delicious blend of rosen paprika, ground black peppercorns, mixed crushed spices and herbs, delicate king salmon is cured, dried and finally, smoked  at soaring temperatures. The result is a soft, smooth textured, richly spiced fish known as Regal Wood Roasted Salmon.

The product was a winner at the recent International Taste and Quality Institute (iTQi) Superior Taste Awards in Brussels, receiving the maximum 3 stars.

Nadia, Kelly and Sachie are all fans of hot smoked salmon and plan to demonstrate their favourite ways with the fish over the four days of the festival. On the menu is Nadia's Wood Roasted Salmon and Broad Bean Bruschetta, while Kelly is teaming the smoked fish with a Citrus Fennel Slaw and Green Olive Tapenade. Delicious samples of these and more are on offer at the stand.

The annual Auckland Food Show begins on Thursday 2 August and runs until Sunday 5 August, at ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane. Meet the Regal Salmon team at stand no C38 in Hall 3.