PLATES OF P L E E E E E N T Y
1 APRIL - 3 MAY 2026
Local eateries across the Coastal Bay of Plenty are stepping up to create one-off festival dishes that celebrate the very best of our region’s ingredients.
Each participating eatery receives a box of local produce and products, sourced from across the Bay of Plenty. Using at least three of these ingredients, chefs create a unique dish that showcases their creativity and the richness of our local food scene.
A panel of expert judges will crown the Judges’ Choice Award, while you get to decide on the People’s Choice Award.
These limited-time dishes are available from 1 April to 3 May 2026, giving you the perfect excuse to eat your way around the region.
HOW TO VOTE
Simply dine in, order the Plates of Plenty dish, then scan the QR code in-restaurant to cast your vote. Every vote goes in the draw to win fantastic prizes, so the more dishes you try, the more chances you have to win.
See the full list of participating eateries on the next page and start planning your Plates of Plenty trail. Don’t miss this chance to taste the Bay’s best and celebrate the flavours that make our region so special.
KATIKATI
Talisman Restaurant 7 Main Road
TAURANGA
Macau 59 The Strand
RIKARIKA Sushi Express Shop 101/45 Grey Street
Tauriko Pub Co. Shop RR206/2 Taurikura Drive
Goode Brothers Bethlehem 19 Bethlehem Road
MOUNT MAUNGANUI
Master Kong 217 Maunganui Road
Rosie’s Red Hot Cantina 113 Maunganui Road
Sabal 10/169 Maunganui Road
Saltwater 203 Maunganui Road
Somethin’ Somethin’ 2D Heath Street
Surf Road 93 Oceanbeach Road
Latitude 37 181 Maunganui Road
Pablo 255 The Boulevard
Pearl Kitchen 20 Coast Boulevard
Rain Bar & Restaurant 30 Gravatt Road
Henry & Ted 5 Golden Sands Drive
PUKE The Daily Café 3 Commerce Lane
Festival Events KEY
Plates of Plenty
Challenge Eateries
Tickets
available now at flavoursofplenty festival.com or scan the QR code
BATTLE OF THE SNACK
The most exciting culinary competition in the Bay of Plenty is back!
This thrilling event brings local chefs and rising talent together to compete as they create the most mouthwatering canapés.
The stakes are high, and two winners will be crowned before the night ends - the Judge’s Choice and the People’s Choice (voted by diners). Hosted and judged by Cuisine magazine editor, Kelli Brett, this evening will serve up unforgettable bites, vibrant flavours, and live entertainment.
PUSH THE PALATE, FUELLING OUR FUTURE
A lunch that celebrates community and giving back.
A special lunch created to bring people together in support of a truly meaningful cause. Guests will enjoy a relaxed twocourse dining experience featuring some of Fife Lane’s signature favourites, designed to showcase the warm and welcoming spirit of the restaurant. Throughout the afternoon, the event will host guest speakers who will share their stories and insights, adding an inspiring element to the occasion. $50 from every ticket goes to Kura Kai.
SHUCKED & POURED: ŌHIWA OYSTERS X MATA BEER
A bold beer-and-oyster pairing experience celebrating local flavours.
This guided tasting brings together freshly shucked Tio Ōhiwa oysters with a curated selection of Mata beers.
Thu 16 April, 6pm - 10pm
Saltwater
203 Maunganui Road,
Mount Maunganui
$129
Fri 17 April, 12pm - 2.30pm
Fife Lane Kitchen & Bar
512 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
$110 gf* df* h*
Fri 17 April, 5.30pm - 9.30pm
Mata Brewery
17 Gateway Crescent, Whakatāne
Guests will explore how different beer styles enhance the briny, full-bodied flavour of Ōhiwa oysters, including a signature “Oyster Shooter” for those keen to try something new. It’s a relaxed, intimate evening celebrating great local brews and seafood. 3
$50 (adults) & $5 (children <15)
THE TABLEBY PEPPER & ME
The ultimate dinner party with Cherie from Pepper & Me.
This intimate, interactive dining experience is set in a pop-up restaurant at the Pepper & Me headquarters. Settle in for a chef’s choice feast with a Spanish twist, packed with bold flavours, creative dishes, and plenty of surprises along the way.
Expect generous plates, great drinks, live music, and a few goodies to take home. Round up your mates and get ready for a seriously good night out.
FANTASTIC FERMENTATION
A hands-on fermentation workshop with Aroha Kai.
Discover the art of traditional fermentation, with a contemporary twist, in this interactive workshop led by local fermenter Don Allardice, from Aroha Kai. Learn how to craft probiotic-rich kimchi or sauerkraut using local, seasonal ingredients, and take your handmade creation home at the end. Every participant will receive a complimentary jar of Aroha Kai’s famous fermented basil pesto. Expect hands-on learning, plenty of inspiration, and a taste of what makes Aroha Kai so special.
BACON & KNIVES
A hands-on workshop with simple meat curing, essential knife skills, and a shared meal.
Join Chef James for an engaging, hands-on introduction to two fundamental kitchen crafts: curing bacon and mastering essential knife skills. Learn how to turn simple pork into delicious homemade bacon, then explore how to use, maintain and sharpen your knives confidently and safely. The session concludes with a shared meal, featuring dishes that have been crafted with your knife skills and freshly cured bacon. You’ll leave with practical knowledge, extra confidence in the kitchen, and your own bacon to take home and enjoy.
Fri 17, Sat 18, Sun 19, Thur 23, Fri 24, Sat 25 April, 5.30pm - 9pm
Pepper & Me HQ
1/8 Ke Ahi Rise, Tauriko
$165
Sat 18 April, 9am – 1pm
Pāpāmoa Sports and Recreation Centre
80 Alice Lane, Pāpāmoa
$90 gf vg
Sat 18 April, 10am - 2pm
Te Pahi Cooking School
4B Penny Place, Welcome Bay, Tauranga
$120 gf* df*
HIKOI & HĀKARIOTAWHIWHI MARAE & ECHO WALKING FESTIVAL
A cultural experience of traditional stories and kai.
Experience a cultural journey with Te Whānau a Tauwhao and the Echo Walking Festival at Otawhiwhi Marae. Begin with a guided hīkoi, learning about traditional Māori foraging practices and connections to the land. The experience continues at the marae with a shared hākari, celebrating Māori food traditions and storytelling. Thoughtful, grounded, and welcoming, this unique event invites you to engage with culture, nature, and kai.
TASTING EXTRAVAGANZA
Treat your taste buds to a flavour-filled day out!
Whether you’re into tea, gin, wine, cider or beer, this guided tasting adventure takes you to some of the Bay’s best foodie spots, with lunch, dessert, and transport all sorted.
Sit back, sip, and enjoy behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. The perfect day for friends, foodies, and anyone who loves discovering local flavours.
You’ll visit a hand-picked line-up of local favourites, including Webster’s Tea Shop, The Rising Tide, The White House, and Salinity Restaurant.
GNAM (YUM) CHA
An eight-dish yum cha-style lunch fusing Asian and European flavours.
East meets West, and it’s deliciously messy in the best way. Think dumplings and ravioli having a love affair, salads that flirt with spice, and flavours that tell stories from Taiwan to Tuscany.
The Trading Post’s talented crew, Simone (from Italy), Jen (from Taiwan), Jean (from Singapore), and Leigh (from New Zealand), will team up in the kitchen for an eightdish yum cha–style lunch that’s all about connection, culture, and serious flavour.
Sat 18 April, 11am - 3pm
Otawhiwhi Marae
Seaforth Rd, Bowentown
$74
Sat 18 April, 10.45am (after pick-ups) - 4.30pm
Tauranga Tasting Tours
Various locations (transport included)
$195 gf* df*
Sat 18 April & Sat 2 May
12pm – 2.30pm
The Trading Post 1 Hall Road, Paengaroa
$85 gf* df*
MYSTERY FOOD TOUR
A unique food tour uncovering the best of Whakatāne.
Embark on a culinary adventure around Whakatāne! This Mystery Food Tour takes you to three hand-picked local spots for a progressive degustation lunch showcasing some of the town’s best flavours.
Enjoy delicious dishes, meet the people behind them, and relax with a glass of wine along the way. Brought to you by Epic Whakatāne.
THE BIG FAT GREEK CYPRIOT LUNCH
A vibrant Greek Cypriot feast with food, music, and fun.
Experience true Cypriot hospitality at this meze-style vegetarian long lunch hosted by YiaYia’s Little Kitchen at the charming Awakaponga Hall near Matatā. Share a meal with friends you’ve not yet met at long tables, passing dishes and bonding over fresh, locally sourced produce.
Bring your bottle of wine, and prepare to have your palate pushed at dessert time with a daring combination of chocolate, olive oil, and olives.
This is a vegetarian event. BYO wine or beer.
WHISPERS OF THE LAND - STORIES TOLD IN SOIL, SMOKE & SEASON
An immersive seven-course tasting journey where flavour and storytelling awaken all your senses.
Begin your evening in the garden, creating collaborative edible art before taking your seat for a carefully curated sequence of dishes inspired by New Zealand’s soil, smoke, and season. Each course unfolds with sensory theatre, from whispered stories and fleeting gestures to scents, textures, and flavours that awaken curiosity and wonder.
Sat 18 April, 12pm - 3.30pm
Starts at Whakatāne isite
Visitor Information Centre
144 The Strand, Whakatāne
$95
Sat 18 April, 12.30pm - 3pm
Awakaponga Community Hall
Cnr Caverhill Road and Braemar Road, Awakaponga
$95 v
Sat 18 April, 5pm - 8.30pm
The Gallery, Te Puna Quarry Park
110 Te Puna Quarry Road
Te Puna
$189 v vg df
CREATING A SUSTAINABLE FOOD FOREST
A hands-on workshop to create a sustainable, biodiverse food forest.
Take a deep dive into creating your own selfsustaining garden. Explore medicinal plants that support soil health and wellbeing, learn regenerative growing techniques, and discover how to build a resilient food forest at home. Enjoy morning tea, refreshments, and a nutrient-rich lunch, while gaining practical, hands-on knowledge. You’ll also take home a selection of starter plants to kick-start your own garden. Brought to you by MyFoodForest New Zealand.
WHENUA FLAVOURSSTORIES OF THE LAND
A grounding afternoon of kōrero, kai, and connection to whenua.
Gather for a kōrero to explore the local land, its stories, and stewardship. Hear first-hand how whānau connect to the whenua through lived relationships, shaped by intergenerational care and everyday kaitiakitanga practices.
This authentic Māori cultural experience is centred on traditional food gathering and preparation, shared knowledge, and the simple joy of sharing kai together.
ROSIE’S WINGS OF FIRE
A ‘Hot Ones’ style wing eating challenge, featuring local hot sauces, DJ beats and family-friendly fiery fun.
Get ready to sweat as Rosie’s Cantina turns up the heat with a Wings of Fire Challenge like no other. This contest takes brave participants through escalating spice levels, each wing coated in bold, locally-made Bay of Plenty hot sauces. Only the toughest taste buds will make it through every round to claim the title of Rosie’s Wing of Fire Champion. Even if you’re not competing, enjoy Hip Hop DJ beats, artisan hot sauce stalls, a guest tattoo artist creating fiery designs and more.
Sun 19 April, 9am - 4pm
Te Puke (address will be provided on ticket)
$195 v* vg* gf* df*
Sun 19 April, Sun 26 April & Sun 3 May 12pm - 2pm
Patetū Trust
718 Welcome Bay Road, Tauranga
$95
Sun 19 April, 2pm - 6pm
Rosie’s Red-Hot Cantina 113 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
Free for spectators, $20 for participants
A SEAFOOD BBQ MASTERCLASS
A smoky seafood BBQ masterclass and feast with chef Rhys Thornton. Learn how to cook fresh kaimoana over charcoal as Chef Rhys demonstrates how to fillet fish, butterfly, and prepare whole snapper, and cook seafood over the coals. Discover flavour-building techniques — from seasoning and marinades to heat control and smoke management — plus how to match each dish with the perfect beverage. Enjoy a relaxed, hands-on session followed by a generous three-course familystyle feast, beverage matches, and takehome recipes.
SMOKE ON THE WATER
A smoky four-course dinner and open-fire cooking demo.
Join Fisherman’s Wharf for a spectacular evening celebrating the craft of open-fire cooking. Enjoy a smoky four-course dinner, paired with drinks, and cooked entirely over live flames by talented chefs.
Expect bold flavours, a relaxed coastal atmosphere, and a dining experience that showcases the best of outdoor cooking — a warm, memorable night perfect for food lovers and friends. Guests and the public are welcome to watch the open-fire demonstrations for free throughout the day, starting from around 8am.
FIRENZE SPETTACOLARE
An Italian-inspired three-course dinner that celebrates the authentic flavours of the Tuscan region.
Firenze Spettacolare, meaning Spectacular Florence, captures the flavours of the city and the charm of Tuscany. Inspired by travels through the region, the menu showcases authentic Italian dishes with a playful twist. Expect bold flavours, traditional techniques, and a few delicious surprises along the way. Begin with a complimentary glass of Prosecco or Italian beer, then savour a delicious dinner filled with good food, great company, and the unmistakable spirit of Italy.
Sun 19 April, 5pm - 8pm
Hide Thirst and Hunger
147b Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
$99
Sun 19 April, 5.30pm - 10pm
Fisherman’s Wharf 340 Harbour Road, Ōhope
$165 gf*
Tue 21 April, 6pm - 9.30pm
Florence Bistro
90 Devonport Road, Tauranga
$95 v*
KWIZINE: LOCAL TASTING TREASURES
A delicious day visiting local producers, with a classic fish and chip lunch.
Discover the Bay’s hidden flavours on this guided tasting adventure with Tauranga Tasting Tours. Visit a working avocado orchard, enjoy honey tastings and a factory tour at BeeNZ, and take in panoramic views from the Minden Lookout.
Stop at an avocado orchard for insights and tastings, enjoy a classic fish and chip lunch in Ōmokoroa, and finish with a uniquely Kiwi tea tasting at Webster’s Tea. Pick-up and drop-off included.
ALL YOU CAN EAT TACO NIGHT
A bold taco feast for hungry festival-goers.
For two nights only, Cadera will be serving an all-you-can-eat taco feast designed for those who love flavour and aren’t afraid to push their limits. Enjoy endless tacos featuring your favourite fillings, chicken, pork belly, and fish, alongside exciting new festival flavours created just for this event. Drop in anytime between 4pm and 8pm, come hungry, challenge your mates, and try all the tempting flavours.
POLARISING PLATES WITH NEIL SAPITULA
A five-course sharing style dinner with chef Neil Sapitula.
For one night only, Neil Sapitula is returning to Solera to create a daring five-course dinner built around his favourite polarising ingredients and techniques. This experience invites guests to embrace the unexpected. No menu will be revealed until the end, and no dishes will be explained, encouraging diners to approach each plate without bias or expectation.
Optional wine matching features five natural and minimal-intervention wines, equally bold in character.
Wed 22 April, 9am (after pick-ups) - 3.30pm
Tauranga Tasting Tours
Various locations (transport included)
$195 gf* df*
Wed 22 April & Wed 29 April 4pm - 8pm (come anytime)
Cadera Bar and Restaurant 19 Pohutukawa Ave, Ōhope
$45 v vg
Wed 22 April, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Solera 165 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
$155, optional wine matching $55
SUPER CREATIVE LIVE
A live podcast at Toi Tauranga Art Gallery.
Back by popular demand, join us at the beautiful Tauranga Art Gallery for Super Creative Live - a multi-sensory evening of conversation, creativity, flavour, and connection, designed to surprise, delight, and inspire.
Hosted by Blank Canvas Catering, guests will enjoy canapés and a walk-and-fork dinner while Catie Dawson hosts a live podcast with special guests. Follow @supercreativepodcast and @blankcanvascatering as we announce speakers.
PLANTISSIMO
A six-course vegan Italian feast reimagining classic flavours.
Autentico, renowned for delivering true Italian culinary experiences from cooking classes to pop-up restaurants, invites you to discover Italian dining in a whole new light. This six-course vegan feast proves that flavour doesn’t need meat, cheese or wine to shine. It’s an experience that will make you rethink what’s truly essential for a happy table. Savour beautifully crafted entrées, handmade pastas, and a refined dessert, all inspired by traditional Italian techniques and ingredients.
This is an alcohol-free event.
PRINT & SAVOUR
Create your own gyotaku, then enjoy the flavours of the coast.
Discover the beauty of gyotaku (the traditional Japanese art of fish printing), before rolling up your sleeves to create and enjoy a series of seafood-inspired bites.
Guided by Charles, you’ll make your own fish print to take home, then gather around the table to transform pre-prepared fillets into a selection of coastal-inspired dishes, from musubi making and sashimi tasting to smoked fish pâté bites.
A relaxed celebration of food, art, and the sea.
Thu 23 April, 5.30pm - 8.30pm
Toi Tauranga Art Gallery 108 Willow Street, Tauranga
$95 v* vg* gf* df*
Thu 23 April, 6pm - 8pm
Gratitude Eatery 7 Prince Avenue, Mount Maunganui
$85 v vg df
Sat 25 April, 1pm - 3pm Sat 2 May, 11am - 1pm
Charles’ place Ōhauiti (address will be provided on ticket)
$89
THE MASTERCLASS
A hands-on cocktail masterclass with renowned mixologist Jimmy Corbett.
Join Sailor Galley & Rum Bar for an intimate cocktail-making experience, limited to just 20 people.
Get hands-on shaking, stirring and tasting your way through a series of expertly crafted cocktails while sampling premium rum and tequila, matched with curated food pairings.
Along the way, you’ll hear the stories and techniques behind these bold, expressive spirits and pick up tips you can take home.
SMOKE, FIRE & BBQCELEBRATING THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FLAVOUR
A campfire feast under stars with The Big Smoke BBQ and The Run 15 Events.
Go off-grid for a one-night-only farm adventure. Head beyond the gardens to a secluded spot, where fire and smoke lead the menu. Begin with a BBQ grazing platter, followed by pork, chicken and lamb with seasonal salads, then dessert and s’mores. A small whiskey tasting is included, along with BBQ tips, tricks and optional hands-on moments, all enjoyed by the fireside.
LE REPAS VAGABOND
A 12-course wandering meal of chef-led surprises inspired by Spanish, French, and Mediterranean flavours.
Le Repas Vagabond, meaning The Wandering Meal, is a one-night-only popup, serving 12 surprise courses created by three chefs drawing from their Spanish, French and Mediterranean roots.
Expect a playful tapas-style journey where every dish is revealed as it arrives, celebrating the food these chefs love and the fresh local produce they cook with. This roaming feast promises creativity, generous flavour and plenty of surprises.
Sat 25 April & Sun 26 April
1pm - 3pm
Sailor Galley & Rum Bar
107 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
$79
Sat 25 April, 2.30pm - 8pm
The Run 15
147 Mimiha Road
Matatā
$250
Sat 25 April, 5pm - 9pm
Waingarara Valley
667a Stanley Road, Wainui, Whakatāne
$150
TASTE OF TE PUKE
A Te Puke-inspired dinner & movie night.
Enjoy an evening that celebrates the rich bounty of Te Puke, pairing delicious local food with an all-time classic movie Julie and Julia (2009). Dinner features a selection of dishes inspired by the region’s producers — from lamb and beef to kaimoana — with a French twist inspired by Julia Child, each showcasing the area’s unique flavours. A grazing table will highlight unique Te Puke products, with kiwifruit taking centre stage.
Brought to you by Te Puke KCOTW Heritage society - in partnership with The Packhouse.
VEGAN VIBES x THE LITTLE BIG MARKETS
A celebration of all things vegan. Vegan Vibes returns as a dedicated feature within The Little Big Markets, bringing together the best in plant-based food, drink, and conscious living. Set within one of the region’s most loved and high-energy markets, this special Vegan Vibes zone pairs bold vegan flavours with the buzzing community atmosphere the markets are known for. This is a vibrant celebration of plant-based eats, ethical brands, live atmosphere, and community connection. Whether you’re fully vegan, plant-curious, or simply love great food, this is a must-visit for vegans, foodies, and curious grazers alike.
FINE DINING, DONE DIRTY
A seven-course lunch bringing bold flavours, playful twists, and a deliciously unfancy fine-dining vibe.
An afternoon of high-end food and spirits with a low-brow twist. Expect bold flavours, playful pairings, and fine dining with its tongue firmly in cheek. Together with EuroVintage, Saltwater is bringing top-shelf drops to match every mischievous bite, think oysters with attitude, cocktails with character, and indulgence without the ego.
Decadent, cheeky, and deliciously fun, this event is all about pushing the palate while keeping things delightfully unpretentious.
Sat 25 April, 6pm - 10.30pm
Te Puke Capitol Theatre
131 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke
$55 vg* gf*
Sun 26 April, 9am - 2pm
Coronation Park
Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
Free vg
Sun 26 April, 1pm - 4pm
Saltwater
203 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
$120
WAIHĪ BEACH CAKE & COCKTAILS PICNIC
A cake picnic with cocktails, coastal vibes and plenty of sweet sharing.
Inspired by the global “cake picnic” trend, this event blends delicious flavours, Instagram-worthy moments, and the Bay’s relaxed coastal charm.
Bring along your homemade cake to share, anything from the classic sponge to your wildest flavour combo. Then, fill your platter with slices from everyone else’s creations while sipping two specially crafted Wilderkin cocktails. It’s a feast for the ages - a must for cake lovers!
SHAKEN BY THE SEA, STIRRED BY THE LAND
A cocktail feast where seafood meets meat in six daring, palate-pushing pairings.
Experience a bold mash-up of land and sea during this multi-course cocktail feast. Six daring pairings blur the lines between surf and turf, from chorizo-mezcal negronis with prawn bites to prawn-vodka martinis served beside wagyu tartare.
Expect rich, meat-infused cocktails paired with delicate seafood snacks, and oceankissed cocktails matched to bold meat bites. Adventurous, creative, and designed to push the palate — the rest is under wraps…
FLAVOURS OF INDIA
A five-course culinary journey through India with chef Aditya
Raut.
Step into a new chapter of Indian cuisine with chef Aditya Raut, our 2024 festival Battle of the Snack winner. This year’s dinner showcases the bold, diverse flavours of India through a five-course menu that goes far beyond traditional curries.
Drawing from his childhood, regional travels, and contemporary techniques, Aditya will be reimagining classic dishes using local ingredients. A flavour-packed journey that celebrates creativity, culture and culinary innovation. Brought to you by The Common Kitchen.
Sun 26 April, 3pm - 5pm
Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services
2 Beach Road, Waihī Beach
$40
Sun 26 April, 8.30pm - 10.30pm
Solera 165 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
$110
Mon 27 April, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Cornerstone Bar
107 The Strand, Tauranga
MASTER KONG AFTER DARK
A night market celebrating bold Asian flavours and local ingredients.
Master Kong After Dark is a reimagined Asian night market where fearless flavour meets local creativity. For one night only, Master Kong will transform into a multisensory street-style market, with food stalls offering a bold, innovative take on Asia’s most loved dishes, crafted with ingredients sourced from the Bay of Plenty.
Tickets include a welcome cocktail on arrival and a tasting plate from every food stall. From Pork on a Spit to Mochi ice cream, this is not a sit-down dinner. It is a walk, taste and experience designed to be shared.
DISH-RUPTED: AN INTERACTIVE CULINARY EXPERIENCE
A progressive five-course interactive feast where rescued ingredients become creative, surprising dishes.
This immersive, multi-sensory event invites diners to explore the unexpected, as student chefs transform unusual and often overlooked rescued ingredients, generously provided by Good Neighbour, into five delicious courses. Each dish will be served in a different atmosphere, turning the entire evening into a progressive feast of flavour and creativity. Guests won’t just eat, they’ll participate, interact, and help shape an unforgettable culinary experience.
A TASTE OF TRINITY: FLAVOURS OF PLENTY LUNCH
A waterfront table and a long lunch to sip and savour.
Enjoy harbour views at Trinity Wharf’s iconic over-water restaurant with an intimate, thoughtfully curated two-course lunch.
Led by head chef Peter Jeffré, the menu showcases seasonal produce, with each course paired with wines from Leveret Mills Reef. Expect beautifully crafted dishes, exceptional wines, and a relaxed waterfront dining experience.
Wed 29 April, 6pm - 9pm
Master Kong
217 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
$55
Thu 30 April, 6pm - 9.30pm
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
The Atrium, H Block, 70 Windermere Drive, Tauranga
$120
Fri 1 May, 12pm - 2pm
Trinity Wharf Tauranga Restaurant 51 Dive Crescent, Tauranga
$79
NOSE TO TAIL BBQ FEAST
A three-course celebration dinner highlighting beef in all its glory.
Enjoy a social long-table banquet featuring both premium and adventurous cuts, from ox tongue and beef cheeks to osso buco and bone marrow. Expect bold BBQ flavours, nibbles on arrival, a three-course feast and a surprise dessert to push your palate.
With live music, a rustic Western vibe and plenty of flavour, it’s the perfect night to dust off your boots and dress to impress.
THE SIP TEASE
A blindfolded cocktail adventure with bold flavours and surprise pairings.
Get ready for a night of flavour trickery. With your blindfold on, you’ll taste a line-up of handcrafted cocktails and see if your palate can guess what’s really in the glass.
Between sips, enjoy tasty canapés made just for the occasion. Bring your friends, trust your senses, and get ready for flavour in its most thrilling form.
APPRENDRE PIZZA + CROISSANT
A hands-on workshop learning the art of making croissants and handstretched pizza.
Discover the joy of dough in this fun, handson class where you’ll learn to make buttery French croissants and perfectly handstretched pizza.
Led by pastry expert Roberto and woodfired pizza enthusiasts Louis and Mark, this workshop blends skill, creativity, and plenty of laughs.
Fri 1 May, 6pm - 9.30pm
The Smokin’ Goose
1A Luxton Road, Awakeri
$90 gf*
Fri 1 May, 7pm - 9pm
Tauriko Pub Co
2 Taurikura Drive, Tauriko (located inside Tauranga Crossing)
$65
Sat 2 May, 10.15am - 12.15pm
L’Atelier
126 Commerce Street, Whakatāne
$100
CROP SWAP FOOD FIESTA & PESTO MAKING
A free community event to swap garden goods and learn how to make pesto.
Bring your homegrown goodies to share or swap, and stay for a fun pesto-making workshop (registration required) where you’ll learn how to turn garden greens into delicious, creative pestos using what you have on hand. From spinach and parsley to carrot tops and radish greens, discover tasty no-waste combinations and sample a range of pestos made from excess harvests. A simple, fun way to connect, learn, and make the most of your home garden.
KIDS KAI TRAIL
A fun, family-friendly food trail filled with tasty treats and hands-on garden activities.
Bring the whānau for a tasty Te Puke adventure packed with local flavour and fun! Explore a mini farmers market, get your hands dirty planting veggies and edible flowers, explore what’s growing, and whip up a garden-fresh treat in the Te Puke Community Gardens.
Finish the day with a fun short film and tasty kiwifruit treats at the Te Puke Heritage Centre. Taste, play, and discover the delicious magic growing right here in Te Puke.
THE SLURP SESSION
A hands-on, caffeine-fuelled coffee tasting & cupping.
Get ready as we spill the beans on the art of coffee roasting. Learn about regions, varietals, and the flavours they bring to the cup. Watch the roasting magic happen, then slurp your way through a cupping table.
Channel your inner caffeinated sommelier and push the boundaries of what you would normally drink. Finally, mix your own custom blend to take home! A creation you can share with your mates (or keep all to yourself).
Sat 2 May, 9.30am - 11am Grow On Katikati Shed 45 Beach Road, Katikati Free
Sat 2 May, 10am - 2pm
Sat 2 May, 10am - 11.30am
DESTINATION DEGUSTATION
A culinary trail of the Mount’s most popular foodie spots.
Destination Degustation is a progressive lunch designed for those who love to explore through flavour. Wander down Mainstreet as you’re welcomed into Olive & Fig, Rita’s, Rosie’s, Solera, Saltwater, and other hand-picked stops, each offering a thoughtfully crafted tasting.
This wonderfully lazy Saturday afternoon coastal experience blends connection, creativity, and world-class food, bringing a little taste of summer to every step. Come hungry, leave happy!
LEAGUE OF FIRE CHILLI EATING CONTEST
A thrilling chilli-eating contest where competitors battle for the national title.
For the first time ever, Tauranga will host the 2026 New Zealand National Chilli Eating Challenge on Wharf Street. Top competitors, including local chilli legend Shannon Leigh and 2025 NZ champion Jesse Painter, will face escalating heat in a fiery battle for the national champion title. Sign up to compete or come along to watch the action, browse stalls from local and national hot sauce makers, and enjoy restaurants and bars serving their own spicy specials.
LONG LUNCH ITALIAN STYLE
Slow down, savour and enjoy a delicious afternoon of Italian-inspired dishes shared around the table.
Settle in for a long lunch packed with bold flavours and a guided wine tasting to match. Come hungry, leave happy.
Brought to you by Epic Whakatāne.
Sat 2 May, 12pm - 5pm
Mount Maunganui Main Street
Starts at Olive & Fig,
70 Maunganui Road
$130
Sat 2 May, 12pm - 6pm (Finals at 3pm)
Wharf Street & The Barrel Room
26 Wharf Street, Tauranga
Free
Sat 2 May, 12.30pm - 4pm
Top Shelf
84 The Strand, Whakatāne
$125
KIWI KIDS BAKE OFF FAIR
A fun baking challenge for kids, featuring at-home creations and a prize-giving fair.
Get ready for some delicious fun at the Kiwi Kids’ Bake Off! Register to receive your Bake at Home Box, create your masterpiece at home, then bring it along on Bake Off Day for judging and prizes.
Open to young bakers aged 5 to 12, this competition features two age groups and two baking categories: technical cookies or showstopper cakes. Very limited spots so don’t hesitate to sign up! Find out more at www.bakewithme.co.nz/kiwikidsbakeoff
OF THE EARTH
An immersive dining event by Rose’s Dining Table and Our Place Magazine.
Of The Earth invites you to explore the connection between the land and the food we eat. Come and dine from a communal table, learn about the soil and earth the harvested food comes from, and leave with new friends. Seating is picnic style and low to the ground as part of the experience, so please consider if this is suitable for you when purchasing a ticket. Vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements can be catered for, but due to the communal style of dining, it is not suitable for severe allergies.
THE BREW GAUNTLET
A blind-tasting challenge for beer lovers and brave palates.
Step into The Brew Gauntlet, an energetic afternoon tasting challenge specially crafted for the Flavours of Plenty Festival. Guests will test their palate through blind beer samples and flavour-mystery bites, scoring themselves as they go.
Expect laughter, friendly competition, and a big reveal as everyone discovers whether they’re a Confident Casual, Brew Enthusiast, or Certified Connoisseur. It’s social, surprising, and designed for unforgettable bragging rights.
Sat 2 May, 1pm - 3pm (kids can drop off baking between 10am - 11am)
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
H Block, 70 Windermere Drive, Tauranga
$25 challenge entry, fair entry free
Sat 2 May, 1pm - 4pm
Ōmanu Community Garden
Golf Road, Mount Maunganui (behind the Rescue Centre)
$139 v* vg*
Sat 2 May, 2pm - 4pm
Brew Co
109 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
$59
FIVE BY FIFE
A five-course dining experience highlighting Fife Lane’s bold flavours, refined technique, and innovative spirit.
Created exclusively for this year’s festival, Five by Fife invites diners into a carefully crafted five-course journey that will showcase the restaurant’s fire-driven style and commitment to innovation.
Each course focuses on a single hero ingredient, transformed through precision, creativity, and refined technique. Expect bold flavour combinations, elegant presentation, and a dining experience that celebrates craftsmanship at every level.
SOMETHIN’ SPICY
A six-course street food supper club.
Somethin’ Spicy is a one-night, seated street food supper club hosted by Nath, Ash and the team at Somethin’ Somethin’.
The menu takes inspiration from bold Asian street food flavours built around local produce, shared plates, and a few dishes they’re genuinely proud of (including the Nyonya stuffed chicken wings which won the People’s Choice title at last year’s Battle of the Snack). Expect punchy flavours, spice, noodles, slow-cooked meats, and a relaxed, social table experience. This tasting menu is a reflection of the food we love the most and believe is underserved in the Bay!
FIVE GO WILD WITH FOOD
A five-course degustation menu created by five of the region’s best culinary talents.
Kitchen Takeover unites some of the region’s most celebrated chefs for this one-of-a-kind collaboration. Creating a five-course menu inspired by the Plates of Plenty Challenge ingredient box, each chef will take the lead on their own course. Expect bold creativity and a showcase of the Bay’s vibrant local produce, all brought to life in one unforgettable night. Keep an eye on our socials for the announcement of this year’s culinary talents!
Sat 2 May, 5.30pm - 10pm
Fife Lane Kitchen & Bar
512 Maunganui Road,
Mount Maunganui
$180
Sat 2 May, 6pm - 9pm
Somethin’ Somethin’
2D Heath St, Mount Maunganui (indoor & outdoors)
$79
Sat 2 May, 6.30pm - 10.30pm
St Amand Events Venue
105 The Strand, Tauranga
$185 v* gf* nf*
THE BIG BAY BRUNCH
A hyper-local Sunday brunch featuring the Bay’s top producers. This relaxed beachside event features a delectable brunch showcasing some of our favourite local producers, including Mount Sourdough, El Jefe Meats, Nectar Sangria, Kaimai Eggs and many more local favourites.
With Chef Dave Stuart at the helm once again, expect a truly unforgettable Sunday brunch crafted from the Bay’s freshest flavours. Don’t miss this perfect celebration of local flavours and good company by the beach!
TRUFFLE TOUR & TASTING EXPERIENCE
A guided truffle walk, tasting experience, and truffle dog demonstration in a beautiful setting. Take a guided walk through the truffière and learn how truffles are grown, exploring the connection between the trees, soil, and fungi. Discover how the land is cared for throughout the seasons and what makes these underground treasures so special. Back at the house, enjoy a truffle tasting with savoury and sweet treats that highlight the unique aroma and flavour of truffles.
The final highlight is seeing Indie the truffle dog demonstrate how truffles are located.
Sun 3 May, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club
561 Pāpāmoa Beach Road, Pāpāmoa
$80
Sun 3 May, 11am - 1pm
Trufflewood
298 Maungarangi Road, Paengaroa
$60
DISCOVER THE ART OF MATCHA
A flavour-packed matcha cupping experience with Mount Matcha and Thea Matcha.
Discover the depth of high-quality matcha in this intimate cupping experience featuring Thea Matcha varieties. This session includes an iced matcha or hojicha on arrival, followed by a guided tasting of premium and superior grade matcha.
Learn the history, explore different varieties, and master the craft of hand-whisking.
Dairy-free milk options are available.
SMOKEY LOW & SLOW BBQ SCHOOL WITH WHISKY TASTING
A BBQ masterclass including whisky tasting and a three-course dinner feast.
Fire up your skills and learn the secrets of low-and-slow BBQ in this hands-on masterclass. Discover the best cuts to use, the tips and tricks for melt-in-your-mouth results, and how to turn humble ingredients into unforgettable, smoky perfection.
Along the way, enjoy a guided whisky tasting matched to each course, plus a hearty three-course dinner served familystyle with shared plates.
MELTING POINT
A five-course savoury dinner where ice cream takes the spotlight in every dish.
Think ice cream is just for dessert? Think again. Solera turns the scoop upside down with a five-course savoury menu where every dish stars ice cream in ways you’d never expect.
From cool and creamy to smoky and bold, Melting Point plays with fire and ice to create a dinner that’s fun, fearless, and seriously delicious. Prepare to chill out and have your mind melted.
Sun 3 May, 12pm - 2pm
Hide Thirst & Hunger
147b Maunganui Road,
Mount Maunganui
$50 df*
Sun 3 May, 4pm - 7pm
Hide Thirst and Hunger
147b Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
$99
Sun 3 May, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
165 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
$160
Solera
