Knives at the ready: Festival selling out

The Bay Batucada Drummers will be performing at the Napier Night Fiesta on June 10.

The fourth Winter Food and Wine Classic (F.A.W.C!) kicks off today with 39 of the 55 events already sold out.

Food and Wine lovers have snapped up tickets for the paid events with 88 per cent of tickets sold to the events. F.A.W.C! runs until June 26.

Hawke's Bay Tourism General Manager and F.A.W.C! organiser Annie Dundas said, "Winter F.A.W.C! just goes from strength to strength, we are thrilled with the sales to date and can't wait to see the region in full-swing this winter"

Winter F.A.WC! also has a number of walk-up free events including the Napier Night Fiesta on June 10, Food Alley - Eat on the Street in Havelock North on June 16 and Mid-Winter Christmas Market at the Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market on June 26.

In a statement, Napier City Council said the Napier Night Fiesta - Winter Style would music by local musicians including Ian Munro, salsa dancing and fire poi displays, a performance by Bay Batucada Drummers, and face painting and balloons for kids available. Top vendors will offer a range of goods, such as mulled wine, Vietnamese and Lao food, curries, kebab wraps and baked treats.

Ms Dundas said that once again F.A.W.C! by 5 would be run, with 17 participating restaurants across the region offering special menu offerings in denominations of $5 up to $50 per person.

Participating venues include Church Road Winery, Black Barn Bistro, Bistronomy, Birdwoord's Gallery and the Tikokino Country Hotel to name a few. All deals are listed at www.fawc.co.nz.

Tickets are still available for a handful of paid events - The Brothing & Fermenting Sessions at the Farmhouse Kitchen, The Johnnie Walker Story at the Emporium Eatery & Bar, For the Love of Opera II at Sileni Estates, Whiskey, Wine & Wild Food at the CHB Municipal Theatre, Plate up like a Pro: Tips from the Michelin Kitchen at Sileni Estates, Look Good Eat Wright at Wright & Co and Exclusive & Iconic: Church Road TOM at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. All events can be booked online.

F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic, is a seasonal event series held twice a year in Hawke's Bay.

Winter F.A.W.C! is held every June and Summer F.A.W.C! every November.

- Tickets and full event info at www.fawc.co.nz.