Back to Blog

Hospitality NZ's Social Media Tips

At this years Rotorua Matariki Dish Challenge launch, Melissa Renwick from Hospitality NZ ran a social media workshop to show us how to succeed online. Here are some of the top tips that Harriet took away from this course...-Create a cohesive look and feel for your social media channels and stick to it. Allow your followers to get to know your brand and don't confuse them with conflicting styles and voices.-Know your objectives; are you trying to build brand awareness, generate more business or ...

​Ambrosia Bar & Restaurant Shines in the Rotorua Matariki Dish Challenge 2022

This winter, the inaugural Rotorua Matariki Dish Challenge saw eleven local eateries create delicious dishes that highlighted the region’s food while celebrating Matariki.  The challenge, which ran for five weeks allowed the public, locals and visitors alike, to taste their way around some of the town’s best eateries.  And they were spoilt for choice! The region’s newest eateries made their mark on Rotorua’s culinary scene including Ani’s Gin Bar with their Puha Pasta, and Po...

Top Matariki dish award winners revealed

Top Matariki dish award winners revealed!The winners of the Coastal Bay of Plenty’s inaugural Matariki Dish Challenge have been announced, with a five-piece set menu and a seafood pasta dish securing the top spots.The team at The Trading Post – French Bistro, in Paengaroa, drew inspiration from the stars to create their Matariki Chefs Menu, which the judging panel selected as the 2022 Champion award winner. The menu featured sourdough bread, organic oysters, smoked eel, kumara and horopito g...

Meet our Judges!

While the Matariki Dish Challenge has a People’s Choice award the coveted prize is the Champion award.  This is decided by a team of mystery judges who visit each eatery, narrowing it down to our finalists, which are then re judged by our head judges.We’d love to introduce you to our panel of expert judges; the problem is we don’t even know who they are!  The Nourish Magazine team employ Head Judge Kerry Tyack to take care of this for a number of reasons.1 – Kerry is great at w...

Bay of Plenty Producers Directory

Good BuzzGood Buzz Beverage Co is a local Tauranga Producer who makes Kombucha in the traditional Way, certified organic without the use of concentrates. The 'A' Series is a celebration of the beautiful produce we have in Aotearoa made into a premium gut loving Kombucha.  Sales Manager: Kylie Day - kylie @goodbuzz.nz...

Rotorua Producers Directory

Copperhead Road DistilleryAward winning Artisan Vodka crafted in Rotorua, NZRelax with a Pure Heart Facebook and Instagram@copperheadroaddistillery Ph 022 450 7397...

2022 Matariki Dish Officially Launched

The stars will be shining brightly on Rotorua and BOP’s culinary scene this Winter with eateries across both regions entering the Matariki Dish Challenge. The Challenge, which runs from the 13th of June through to the 17th of July, was officially launched at Peppers on the Point yesterday.  The launch was designed to both excite and educate local eateries before they set off to create their culinary creations. Over 90 guests enjoyed the wonderful hospitality from Peppers on The Point, mee...

Kūmara has a long history in Rotorua

Te Taiao (the environment) on Mokoia Island in Lake Rotorua was ideal for growing kūmara.  East facing plantations exposed the kūmara to all day sun and provided a natural shelter-belt from the harsh westerlies, while the thermal heat made it possible to grow kūmara all year round.  The island’s volcanic soil was an ideal medium, the sand at the lake’s edge would have been great for growing (tipu), and the water of course was pristine....

Matariki Dish Challenge 2022 Launch

Eateries from around the BOP and Rotorua regions are invited to the official launch of the 2022 Matariki Dish Challenge.Held for the first time in these regions this is the perfect opportunity for local eateries to learn about the challenge and why they should enter....

Foraging for Flavour

New Zealands native bush offers the culinary adventurer a treasure trove of ingredients.  Here are a few to look out for....

The History of the Matariki Dish Challenge

The Matariki Dish Challenge was created by Waikato Food Inc in 2015.  With the goal of raising the profile and calibre of food in the Waikato, Waikato Food Inc designed a competition that not only did this but also highlighted a truly New Zealand time of year - Matariki. From the very first year chefs from around the Waikato took up the challenge, embracing local and discovering the many legends, traditions and ways Matariki is celebrated. Past winners read like a who’s who of Waikato hos...