Inclement weather didn’t phase Ōhope Local Wild Food Festival attendees on Saturday as they enjoyed the first festival-style local event since the impact of COVID-19.
Mahy Reserve was buzzing, with Wild Food Challenge chefs preparing and presenting dishes to judges throughout the day. Spectators enjoyed wild food tastings, food demonstrations and a range of produce and food stalls, including the popular EastPack tent with smoothie-making blender-bikes.
Whakatāne District Council Events Coordinator Kim Fort said it was clear the community has been missing events.
“We were momentarily disheartened when it poured with rain just as the event started. But people took shelter under the Pohutukawa trees and enjoyed the music. Once the rain cleared, the crowd started to build and no one seemed phased by the gloomy weather.”
The lure of an impressive prize pool saw a number of entries for the wild food cooking challenge, including a large contingent of children’s entries. Head judge Rosemary Sloman said it was a difficult task choosing the winners, with an inspiring array of dishes.
“It was fantastic to see the creativity and clever use of wild food ingredients in both the adult and children’s categories. Throughout the day we judged deer heart sliders, wallaby curry, pork and puha arancini balls, kahawai ravioli, creamy Whakatōhea mussels and even boiled chicken feet – just to name a few!”
The grand prize – a four-rack Bradley Smoker valued at $1000, sponsored by EastPack, went to Marcus Baker with a multiple-element dish showcasing a journey of the tastes, smells and sights of his garden. Skye Williams won the Children’s category, taking home a garden pack from Tūī Garden Products and Jade Mahy from Awakeri School heads to Auckland this weekend after winning an entry into the Kiwi Kids Can Cook competition. Run by Local Wild Food Challenge Judge, Hughie Blues, the Kiwi Kids Can Cook programme culminates with children from around the country competing in the national final on Sunday. The youth prizes (13-17 years) went to Phoenix Franklin and Leon Mahy.
Ms Fort said there were a number of elements that led to the success of this year’s event.
“This year we really wanted to focus on the ‘local’ as much as possible. Naomi Biddle who manages Whakatane’s Sunday Market organised all the food vendors and did an incredible job. We had local musicians, Mata Brewery serving drinks, EastPack as our main sponsor and a number of others. We are immensely grateful for the support, especially after the challenging year businesses have had.
“And thanks must also go to our volunteers, without whom the event wouldn’t happen. I was blown away with their dedication - my gratitude to every person.” she said.
Events sponsors included EastPack, Radio 1XX, Whakatāne District Council, Air Chathams, Tūī Garden Products, New World, Mata Beer, Antipodes Water, Whakatāne Sunday Markets, Julian’s Berry Farm, The Warehouse, Salt Air Surf, Paper Plus, Fishing & More, La Vita Magazine, Fresh Market, KarMa Cusine and WhakaMax.