More than 2500 at Flavours in the Bay

More than 2500 people clinked glasses, devoured local food delights and soaked up the sounds at the inaugural Flavours in the Bay food and wine festival at Blake Park.

Festival-goers and stall holders are already clamouring to book in for next year, calling for the event to become a regular part of the Bay calendar.

Organiser Samantha Dowling, of the Bay of Plenty Times, said she was "rapt" with the public support.

"We set out to give the community its very own food and wine festival. I am thrilled to see all the smiling faces, enjoying the day. It has been such a relaxed atmosphere, with lots of families. I am delighted we managed to keep it affordable," she said.

Festival veteran Dan Shea of Mills Reef Winery said the event should become part of the Bay calendar.

"I've done over 120 festivals over the last 10 years and today's event was outstanding. A great festival with a family vibe. The mix of stalls, the music, the venue - everything was just right. Even the weather tuned in for us. A superb day. I will be the first to sign up next year."

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For Matua mum Roz Irwin, it was the first food and wine festival she has been to since having 3-year-old twins.

"I loved going to food and wine festivals in Auckland but they are not very child-friendly. Here there are lots of families," she said.



Her neighbour Barbara Sunderland brought her young daughter and said the event was affordable.

"I hope it becomes an annual thing. We would definitely be back."

It wasn't just Bay locals who spread out their picnic blankets. Joe and Pam Griffen travelled up from Feilding.

"We came here for 'Blues Brews' a couple of years ago but it wasn't our scene," Mrs Griffen said.

"We enjoy a bottle of wine and I like this crowd as it is more mature and there are families. I was impressed by the selection of food and wines."

The Bay of Plenty Times ran featured workshops on cheese making, cooking and cocktail making, which attracted large audiences.

Workshop hosts Jamie and Jo Blennerhassett, of The Good Food Trading Company, said they saw regular customers but also had the chance to meet new ones.

"It is a day to celebrate local produce which we are passionate about. We would love to do it again."

There was standing room only at the cocktail-making demonstration by Distillerie Deinlein and award-winning mixologist Joseph Gordon from Phil's Place restaurant.