Locals lap up last of F.A.W.C

Tom van Rijk, from Vertigo catering at the Food Alley, FAWC event in Havelock North. Photo: Paul Taylor

From the street food stalls in Havelock North to honey-themed dinners and edible fashion, Hawke's Bay's annual winter F.A.W.C! festival has been a resounding success.

A veritable feast of delicious delicacies, experimental cuisine, fine wine and exotic eats showcased the Bay at its best.

The final two events were held last night at Mister D and Te Awa Winery.

Guests rocked the Casablanca-style Fez and donned their best Moroccan chic for "goat's head soup".

The feast began banquet-style in Mister D featuring tagines, pastilla, and their own version of "goat's head soup".

Saturday saw one of the winter F.A.W.C! highlights come to the Central Hawke's Bay Municipal Theatre.

Locals ditched the dryskins and shined up their shoes for the Mutton Dressed as Lamb Ball.

"By all accounts, the Mutton Dressed as Lamb Ball was an absolute riot with lots of fun and theming," Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said.

Ms Dundas said the festival went exceptionally well.

A third more tickets than for last year were sold and the feedback was fantastic.

"It just goes to show people are getting out and about during the winter months. There were so many great events to go to and they were all special."

Among the highlights for Ms Dundas were the Bee-prepared and Southern Love events.

The festival concluded last night with the Winter Warmer Wind Down at Te Awa Winery and Goat's Head Soup hosted by Mister D and Monica Loves.