Eat the Happy Goat fried rice and you will get good fortune for the rest of the year, but you don't need to worry about the actual goat content.
The dish is one of a number of specials on offer to those at the Chinese New Year Banquet tomorrow.
The
Enjoy good fortune after banquet
By Alison King
Rotorua Daily Post·
2 mins to read
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FEAST: A Chinese New Year banquet and cultural activities will be held in Rotorua tomorrow. PHOTO/FILE
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The Rotorua Multicultural Society hope the Rotorua Chinese community, and others interested in celebrating, can join in the auspicious occasion.
The programme features a traditional Chinese instrument orchestra, face changing, Chinese Peking Opera, magic show and some special dishes.
Among them is whole fish and chicken cashew nut in a nest. The nest is made from bread.
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"That represents a happy family," said Miss Wu, who is from Taiwan and has Chinese ancestry.
"The special dishes relate to the New Year and you get good fortune if you eat them. This is a real, authentic Chinese New Year."
The goat is a gentle, genuine and kind-hearted sign of the Chinese zodiac, she said.
"Usually goat is a lucky symbol. Everyone likes goats. They are patient, emotional and if they see someone suffering they will try to help. They are also easy to get along with."
Ms Wu said traditionally, it's the Year of the Goat, not the sheep, or the ram.
"In China we recognise it as the goat. But to call it the Year of the Sheep is not wrong, it's just a cultural difference."
Tickets for the banquet are $35 and can be paid on the night but bookings are essential.
Email waitsuwu@gmail.com or call her on (021) 0254 3473.
