Bay of Plenty Matariki dish challenge launched

The challenge runs from June 13 through to July 17. Supplied image.

The stars will be shining brightly on Bay of Plenty's culinary scene this winter, with eateries across the region entering the Matariki Dish Challenge.

The 2022 Challenge, which runs from June 13 through to July 17, was officially launched at Peppers on the Point, in Rotorua, on Tuesday.

The four-week event is being organised by Tourism Bay of Plenty and their Flavours of Plenty collective, Nourish magazine and RotoruaNZ.

It is designed to celebrate the region's food stories, while challenging local chefs to create unique Matariki inspired dishes to entice diners out during the coldest months.

The launch aimed to excite and educate staff from local eateries, before they set off and start planning their culinary creations.

More than 90 guests enjoyed the wonderful hospitality from Peppers on The Point, meeting an array of horticultural producers while also learning more about the significance of Matariki.

Tāpoi Te Moananui ā Toi, Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Oscar Nathan says horticultural provenance is one of the coastal region's core destination pillars, as defined by its stakeholders and community.

”We're always keen to support activities that showcase the stunning array of ingredients our sub-tropical climate and growers are producing.

”The Matariki Dish Challenge not only enables us to celebrate the growing awareness and significance of Matariki, but also the diversity and creative hospitality of our many talented chefs, front-of-house staff and venues.”

Having already been part of the Waikato events calendar for the past seven years, event organiser Vicki Ravlich-Horan says the Challenge has always been hotly contested and she expects the same will be the case now that it has arrived in the Bay of Plenty.

All eateries will be mystery judged, with the top three being re-visited by the head judge to determine the 2022 Champion, who will be presented with a specially commissioned taonga in early August.

Diners can also participate by rating the dishes online to determine the People's Choice winner.

'With Matariki being an official holiday from 2022, the Challenge offers a way for people to learn more about the significance of this time of year and celebrate local at the same time, and what better way to do this than through food,” says Vicki.

Nathan agrees.

'We expect this competition will not only inspire residents to head out and enjoy something new at local eateries but will also entice visitors to travel to our region during winter, generating potential flow-on benefits across the visitor economy, such as with tourism activities and accommodation.

'Food lovers are an important and growing market - locally, nationally and internationally. It's been a tough few years for hospitality and tourism and we know many people are keen to start rebuilding their calendars with new and interesting social activities, and this competition is one such offering.”

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