A fridge full of possibilities

2 minutes read
Posted 31 March, 2026
Alvaro Briones Patagon Sausages and Crowne Plaza copy v2

Alvaro Briones, Patagon Sausages and Crowne Plaza

We all know the feeling of reaching into the fridge and finding a fossilised carrot or a slushy courgette. Wastebusters is determined to make this a thing of the past with the return of Every Bite, the food appreciation programme that’s helping households reduce food waste and save money on their groceries, one zero-waste trick at a time.

Over the past two years, households in the Whakatipu Basin have taken part in the popular four-week programme, gaining practical tips, tricks and waste-free recipes to help them monitor and reduce their food waste. With New Zealanders throwing away around 157,000 tonnes of food every year (roughly equivalent to the weight of 2.4 million sheep!), food waste is more than just an annoying fridge clean-out, it’s a nationwide problem and one that starts in our kitchens. That’s where Crowne Plaza chef and zero-waste champion Alvaro Briones comes in.

Alvaro and the Wastebusters team will get the programme underway on Wednesday, 29 April, at the Lake Hayes Pavilion. Participants will enjoy a delicious dinner cooked by Alvaro, learn more about Every Bite, pick up some practical tips to keep on top of grocery shopping with minimal waste, and receive the resources they need to get started at home.

Previous participants have called it “game-changing”, “super helpful” and, at a time when grocery bills continue to rise, “a life saver when it comes to shopping.” It’s a fun, judgement-free programme with ideas that can be tailored to every whānau and household.

Alvaro, meanwhile, is always determined to make the most of every item that comes into his kitchen, whether at work or at home. “With the right techniques and a little imagination, you can stretch every ingredient without ever compromising on taste, and your wallet will thank you for it. That’s the whole philosophy behind Every Bite.”

Every Bite begins on Wednesday, 29 April at 6pm, with a launch event at the Lake Hayes Pavilion. Tickets are $20 per person for the four-week programme including dinner and drinks at both the launch and wrap events. All proceeds go to Kiwi Harvest. www.wastebusters.co.nz/events

 

Wastebusters is proud to deliver Every Bite as part of the Ministry for the Environment’s National Food Waste Reduction programme. It is co-funded and supported by Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Zero Waste District Programme as a Resourceful Communities event, with support from Sustainable Queenstown.


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