The Bay's choice produce and top chefs are being showcased in a television series produced, filmed and edited by a former diesel mechanic and salesman.
The first episode of Tastes From Our Land, hosted by Tauranga chef Peter Blakeway, was filmed at Mills Reef Winery and screened on Central TV last week.
Tauranga man Ernie Stewart produced, directed, filmed and edited the 20-week series which follows top Bay of Plenty and Coromandel chefs as they show off produce available in their area and create dishes using it.
Mr Stewart has been sales and marketing manager at East Coast TV in Gisborne and a diesel mechanic but wanted to make his own shows and improve the quality of television.
"The main reason I produced it is I moved from Gisborne to Tauranga and I went to the farmers' markets and I saw all the fantastic local produce they had. Why not produce a TV programme and show people around the Bay of Plenty what's here," he said.