Feast Waikato: Showcasing region’s finest foods
Foodies, connoisseurs and those who love flavour have a new date for their culinary calendar.
The inaugural Feast Waikato event is set to showcase some of the city’s finest foods, including a four-course collaborative dinner, pop-up eateries, markets, and foodie workshops.
The weekend-long celebration of local food will be held from April 5-7, with the launch dinner taking place on Victoria St, Waikato Food Inc chairperson Vicki Ravlich-Horan said.
‘‘We want to present the depth and breadth of food and hospitality in the Waikato,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s also a chance for local businesses to work together, to do something different, and have some fun.’’ The launch dinner will start with canapes at award-winning Palate restaurant.
Owner-chef Mat McLean said the event is a great way to showcase the best of the city’s hospitality industry and local produce.
‘‘It’s good to get the ball rolling. We have some really good people in this region organising it all and bringing everyone together.’’
McLean said the menu hadn’t yet been finalised but produce will be sourced locally.
Guests will then move en masse to Mr Pickles – one of the newest kids on the block – where the entree will be served.
Mr Pickles co-owner Mat Pedley said the idea was pitched at a Waikato Food Inc meeting last year. He was looking forward to working with others in the industry, and referred to McLean as a ‘‘fine dining gangster’’.
The main will be served at Dough Bros, with dessert served further down Victoria Street at Gothenburg. RavlichHoran said she’s sure locals will embrace the idea, with hopes the weekend event will eventually grow into a week-long feast.
‘‘[We] would love to see other groups organise allied events for Feast: Photography enthusiasts could do a food photography workshop or competitions, Lions could organise a cookbook swap, and the Chiefs or other big iconic Waikato sports teams could have a cook-off.’’
Hamilton Central Business District general manager Vanessa Williams said the feast will bring the city to life. There will be a diverse range of foods on offer, plus workshops, and even movies playing down by the river for the kids, such as Ratatouille.
Williams said businesses, groups or individuals wanting to be involved or hold Feast events can still get in touch with the Waikato Food Inc team.
The event will be held from April 5 – 7. Tickets for the dinner and a schedule for the event will be available in March.
We have some really good people in this region organising it all and bringing everyone together.’’
Mat McLean