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, meet an array of local producers while also learning more on the significance of Matariki. Kingi Biddle, Rotorua Lakes Council Mātauranga Māori Specialist and MC on the day said “Matariki shines on everyone. Matariki belongs to all of us and seeing the smiles in the room Matariki is grounded in the room.”
Rotorua NZ Business Development Manager, Vanessa Wallace says “The Matariki Dish Challenge provides a wonderful opportunity for our local hospitality sector to participate in an event that celebrates Matariki and what it means for Aotearoa New Zealand. The challenge is new to Rotorua and the wider BOP region which is exciting in itself. We know that locals and visitors alike will also enjoy the chance to try new dishes from many of our favourite eateries.”
Oscar Nathan, General Manager of Tāpoi Te Moananui ā Toi, Tourism Bay of Plenty says “We are 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 each year, but also the diversity and creative hospitality of our many talented chefs, front-of-house staff and venues.”
Run in the Waikato for the past seven years, event organiser Vicki Ravlich-Horan says, “the challenge has been hotly contested among Waikato chefs and we hope the same will be the case in Rotorua and the BOP.”
All eateries will be mystery judged with the top three being re-visited by the head judge to determine the 2022 Champion in each region, who will be presented with a specially commissioned taonga in early August. Diners can also participate by rated the dishes online to determine the People’s Choice winners.
Ravlich-Horan believes that “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!”
Pete Peeti from Te Arawa reiterates this sentiment, “we have got the most amazing produce and food out there and we need to highlight it and Matariki is a great way to do so.”
A qualified chef himself, Peeti’s advice to eateries entering the challenge is “have fun, enjoy it. Create this wonderful story with food.”