Celebrate Bay's delicious bounty

BEST CHEF: Chef Rex Morgan showcases his talent at Sacred Hill Winery last night , during the Rex Morgan Cooks 25 Years of his Best F.A.W.C! event. HBT133532-01

Out-of-towners and locals alike are set for a full on weekend of eating, drinking and being merry with the Hawke's Bay Food and Wine Classic.

There are 14 events today and two tomorrow, most of which are full to capacity, but there are still a few things people can get along to at the last minute. The Global Street-Food & Coffee Festival is a fantastic walk-up event showcasing food and craft in Havelock North from 9am today.

As long as people get to Sileni to register by 11am, they can also take part in the Wineries Ride, which will see cyclists weave their way around wineries in Bridge Pa and the Gimblett Gravels.

Simply show up with a bike and sensible cycling attire in time for a word from host Ray McVinnie. Eleven cellar doors will offer special deals such as pre-release and library tastings, picnic boxes or seasonal platters.

Finish up with a wind-down party at Trinity Hill, featuring live music from Naked Gun and delicious bites from Ya Bon French Baker or the Pipi Truck.

A $20 registration fee includes free drink bottle, glass of Sileni bubbly, access to all the cellar door specials and entry to the finale.

"We have had a couple of hundred people register already, depending on the weather we should get a lot more than that but we will be operating rain or shine," Tourism Hawke's Bay general manager Annie Dundas said.

If you fancy learning to cook with Cathie's Cuisine, picnicking in the vines at Te Awa, sipping sweet wines, being among the first to sample five new reserves from boutique vineyards, dining at the Mission Estate or St Georges - tickets are still available online.

Meat lovers must get along to the carnivore carnival at Hastings race course tomorrow, but hurry, there are just a few spaces left.

"We think we have been pretty clever at getting a broad range of events, with a spread of different price points, it doesn't have to cost a lot."

For more information, visit fawc.co.nz