The Must-Attend Food Events at Flavours of Plenty Festival 2023

Flavours of Plenty Festival starts tomorrow. The Bay of Plenty’s biggest food event is a huge local favourite– and now people are travelling for it, too.

The region used to be known for its humble pleasures like ice-cream and fish’n’chips on the beach, but the last few years have seen an explosion of creative restaurants, as well as unique culinary experiences and events.

Over 10 days and 36 events, there are a lot of great things to eat – and this year’s festival promises something for everyone.

There’s an artisan chocolate factory tour, a progressive dinner through Tauranga eateries, a sausage-making masterclass, a truffle-tasting tour and a three-hour Italian lunch. There’s even a five-course degustation event created by Kārena and Kasey Bird (Maketū residents and Masterchef winners).

Stacey Jones has been the chairperson of Flavours of Plenty since its inception, and she’s a driving force in the Bay of Plenty food scene thanks to her now-famous (but once secret) Kitchen Takeover events. The pop-ups even won Best Arts or Cultural Event in the 2021 New Zealand Event Awards.

You could say the London-born powerhouse has food in her blood – Jones’s mother Caryl was a cordon bleu chef, and her father Tony owned a chocolate business. Jones’s own career has spanned marketing and events, meaning she knows how to put on a night of eating that people talk about for years. She works with long-time chef Shane Yardley on the dinners, which often sell out within hours.

For this year’s festival, she has organised an up-close honey-pulling and -spinning experience, Be the Beekeeper , as well as the sold-out Ki Tua by Kārena and Kasey.

Broadsheet asked Jones for her top festival picks, which anyone new to the region is sure to enjoy.

**Wild Food Gathering by the Wharf **
This event in Ōhope reflects our region’s food story really well, using ingredients foraged from the surrounding bush, sea and lakes. The dinner is being cooked by well-known New Zealand chef Des Harris, and will be a beautiful way to bring the kai from the day into a topnotch experience.

Sausage Celebration
This is a hands-on sausage-making workshop run by charcuterie and sausage specialists El Jefe Meats. Owner Nicolas Pagani Martinez is South American and is very passionate about his craft. He has a real flare for creating fun and unique flavours.

First We Eat
This family-friendly event brings together Kiwi musicians like the Black Seeds and Hello Sailor, several different food vendors , wineries and craft breweries. It should be amazing. Music, beer and food – does life get any better?

Long Lunch With Pepper and Me
Cherie from condiments and spices company Pepper and Me is a force to be reckoned with. It’s such a privilege to be able to enjoy her food with a view of the sea. I went to her recipe book launch recently and everything was so delicious. You can taste her passion in what she cooks.

Our Future Creative Gifts
The super-talented team at Mount Maunganui wine bar Solera is joining forces with next-generation chefs to showcase our future talent alongside local produce. Toi Ohomai-Te Pūkenga students will be working alongside established chefs to create 10 dishes over three courses.

Flavours of Plenty Festival, March 24–April 2, 2023.

flavoursofplentyfestival.com