Stallholders to offer a world of tastes

Whangarei's canopy bridge is set to become an international smorgasbord on Sunday thanks to a new ethnic food festival.

"With good weather and the smell of good food around hopefully people will come down," says organiser Peter Abraham.

There will be around 20 stalls - including Indian, Thai, Iraqi, South African, Cornish, Mauritian and Turkish cuisine - as well as stalls with organic gourmet sandwiches, seafood and fruit and vege.

"We're just ready to go," Mr Abraham said. "It's only a few days away now."

The idea for the weekly event was born from his love of food.

"I'm a bit of a foodie and I have seen a need for something like this. It'll give the dining public of Whangarei a chance to taste new foods."

He is a regular stallholder at the Mangawhai markets.

"Personally I do seafood chowder - it's something that has been in my family for quite a while. Our whole family has a passion for cooking," he said.

Mr Abraham originally planned to have around 50 stalls, but he has cut this down to 20.

"Just so everyone gets a fair go. It's amazing what you learn as you go."

Stallholders are eagerly anticipating the first event on Sunday, which kicks off at 8am and finishes at around 1pm.

Gurdeep Singh owns Cafe Divine Indian restaurant on Porowini Ave, and will be having a stall every week.

He plans to serve an assortment of Indian foods, including curries such as butter chicken, curry and salad wraps and vegetable samosas.

"His samosas are the best," said Mr Abraham.

"I think the Indian food will do really well as people up here tend to like it."

Mr Abraham is appealing for people interested in having a stall to contact him on 027-898-1519.

"I'll always be looking for new stallholders throughout the year."