Sizzling start to food markets

Lovers of streetfood markets came out in force last night as the new season of Dinner in the Domain began in Papamoa. Photo / George Novak

Lovers of streetfood markets came out in force last night as the new season of Dinner in the Domain began in Papamoa.

This season's events will feature a star-studded line up of experts. Rachelle Duffy, director of The Little Big Events, the organisation behind the markets, was expecting a large crowd last night.

"The street food revolution is definitely growing organically and I am proud that the Bay has been spearheading its very own food truck revolution.

"Dinner in the Domain in just its second year has become an event for Papamoa to call its own and is also hugely attractive to visitors to the Bay."

Ricky Lee, Papamoa owner of Dutch Queen, is at Dinner in the Domain for a second season.

"We had a very successful run at Dinner in the Domain last year. Our frites were a sell out ... We love working with Rachelle and Chris and it is great what they do to promote Bay business and the Bay of Plenty as a region."

Last night's event featured a cooking demo by Peter Blakeway. Chefs lined up for the season include MasterChef stars Karena and Kasey Bird, Hayley Marie Bilton, and local baking dynamo Danielle Cubis of Spongedrop.

Mrs Duffy said 50 per cent of the vendors this year were new to the event including seafood sellers Lord of The Squid, and Latin-American influenced sushi from Tobu. Mrs Duffy said old favourites would be making cameo appearances, including Tag Burger whose popularity has rocketed since its appearance on The Bachelor.

Mrs Duffy said Dinner in the Domain was very much a "hang-out" where visitors could linger and watch live cooking demonstrations, listen to musicians, or entertain their kids in a zone with bouncy castles, facepainting and pony rides. Musicians at last night's event were Waihi duo Phil and Tilley. Diners would be entertained each week by a line up including Katchafire and Joel Shadbolt.