Rotorua food fest for 2015

FILE

Restaurants, bars, and food enthusiasts will have the chance to showcase local delicacies at a new Rotorua culinary and arts festival.

The three-day event is being proposed for Rotorua in 2015 and will support the Rotorua District Council's Rotorua 2030 vision around inner city revitalisation and economic growth.

Council Creative Communities Portfolio lead, Glenys Searancke, said it would be an opportunity for local chefs and food enthusiasts to showcase their skills, and for the community to participate in a range of food-related activities.

"The arts component of the festival will cover arts in all shapes and forms, including performing and visual arts, and both traditional and contemporary formats.

"It's early days yet and a lot of the details and an event programme have still to be worked through. However, a community organising team has already been established to work alongside council staff, and they will start the serious detailed planning and organising work in January," Mrs Searancke said.

A festival name is yet to be finalised; however, the event is set down for July 17 to 19, 2015, in the inner city, with the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre as the main venue.

Atticus Finch co-owner Cherry Te Kiri said the festival would be great for the city.

"I love food and anything to do with it, so the festival is definitely something I would be interested in hearing more about and getting involved with."

Mrs Te Kiri said anything that helped raise the profile of good chefs in Rotorua would be welcomed by the food industry.

"Having this festival will help young chefs develop their skills and will give them something to work towards.

"People love seeing other people cook and prepare food, just look at how many culinary shows are on TV at the moment. This festival has the potential to really skyrocket our young chefs and give them the confidence to strive towards new goals."

Ambrosia Restaurant and Bar owner Kris Beehre said anything that brought more people to Rotorua had to be good for the city.

"We will definitely look into getting involved because the more people coming to the city, the more the food culture grows.

"Having a food and arts festival will add more vibrancy to the city and celebrate the local produce and culinary talent."

Expressions of interest from local groups wishing to participate are currently being sought.

- Groups can contact Carole Parker at Rotorua District Council on (07) 351 8115 or email carole.parker@rdc.govt.nz.