Featuring a veritable cornucopia of culinary treats, Flavours of Plenty has been in full swing as this issue of BOPBN went to print.
Just one of many highlights setting tongues wagging and tastebuds dancing, the Plates of Plenty Challenge has been showcasing the skills of chefs at local eateries. Each entrant was required to create a dish using at least three of nine locally produced ingredients.
Flavours of Plenty Festival director Rae Baker says she has been blown away by the quality and creativity of this year’s entries.
“It’s amazing how the super talented staff at 24 of our region’s top eateries can take a box of goodies and turn it into such an array of absolutely scrumptious dishes.
“I’d like to encourage discerning diners to travel around and sample as many as they can.”
Overseen by Tourism Bay of Plenty, the festival and the challenge are intended to help bring locals and local businesses together.
“We always enjoy sparking new connections between growers, producers, and hospitality venues via the Plates of Plenty Challenge,” says Oscar Nathan from Tourism Bay of Plenty. “The ultimate goal is to inspire these venues to keep utilising these food and beverage suppliers in the future, to ensure the positive impact the annual festival generates continues well after the final event date.”
Participating restaurants were given a head start to develop their creations prior to the launch of the festival on March 27. Diners and judges have already started voting for their favourites before the competition closes on April 13. Prizes are on the line for the best dishes with awards for Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice.
What’s more (as if 24 dishes wasn’t enough!), diners who vote for their favourite meal will enter the draw to win one of three $100 vouchers, which can be redeemed at any participating eatery.