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Feast Waikato
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IT’S TIME TO
Feast Waikato
Good things come to those who wait. Well, that’s the mantra the Waikato Food Inc team have been clinging to ever since Feast Waikato 2020 was cancelled. And if this year’s line up is anything to go by, they were right.
For starters, this year’s festival goes for five days. “Feast is always on the first weekend in April,” says Julia Clarke, WFI Special Projects and Events Manager. “This year that fell over Easter, so we took it as a great opportunity to spread the festivities over more days and nights. Plus, we hope people will see it as a great reason to stay in the Waikato over the long Easter weekend!” Feast Waikato kicks off with the flagship CBD Events Progressive Dinner. This year’s Progressive Dinner starts with canapes and drinks in the heart of the city at Mr Pickles before heading on to Sky City, Palate and then culminating at Hamilton’s newest hot spot, Cream Eatery. “This is always quick to sell out, and we are working on making this the best yet,” says Julia. If you miss out on tickets to the Progressive Dinner you won’t have much time to be disappointed, with five more days of delicious events on the menu. The very next day there is a wine night (just $20pp) at Keystone with wines by locals Vilagrads and food by Andrew Clarke. The Good George crew have two different degustations on, one at their brewery with the brewer and one at Smith & McKenzie with Babich wines.
Thursday night is also a hot ticket in Te Awamutu with the return of local lad Ben Bayly. This very special dinner, co-hosted by Red Kitchen, has all the makings of a very special night! Good Friday will be great with an evening with Emma Galloway at Punnet Eatery. Or a very special and intimate meal dubbed The Land of Milk and Honey, celebrating some amazing local produces (including milk and honey). Friday also sees the return of foodie movies at Victoria on the River and Food Truck Friday. Saturday is all about family fun with the Vetro Italian Festival taking over Rostrevor street with all things Italian (think pizza, pasta, cars and music). Lykke Café also have a fun day planned with real fruit ice cream, Danish inspired food and plant propagation workshops. Easter Sunday gives you a chance to treat you and your pooch with The Keg Rooms Hoppin' Hounds Egg Hunt. And if Easter Bunny didn’t deliver enough sweet treats the team at Sky City are ready to step in with their Decades of Desserts. Sunday also sees Camarosa host an Outstanding in their Field Long Lunch celebrating amazing local produce. Almuerzo blanco is a long lunch at Willowbrook Park with guest chef Giulio Starla. Giulio, formerly of the three hatted restaurant Roots, and Cuisine Magazine Chef of the Year (2018), will be creating a couple of his signature dishes to an audience all dressed in white.
Monday and it is time to get back to nature with a trip to Tomtit Farm or a tour at Sanctuary Mountain. And this is not the complete line up! There are some truly fantastic tours and cooking classes. A sustainably focused lunch in the Cambridge Community Gardens, Burgers and Brews at Cinnamon, and a night celebrating fish at Hayes Common.
