Italian cuisine like you've never had before is on the menu at Sugo. Photo / Supplied
It was one of those gloriously sunny April afternoons when we wandered down Persimmon Lane in Te Puna, Tauranga and entered what felt like a scene from a trendy lifestyle magazine.
At the end of the driveway, set between acres of farmland and hidden by towering hedges was a large manicured lawn, glowing with 4pm light and abuzz with people in various types of linen and floral.
After a stop at the cocktail table, we drifted into the centre of the garden and savoured the scene; the bubbly chatter of conversation and gentle strum of a live guitarist, the dollhouse-like villa and the unmistakable smell of burning ash.
The latter led us to a large smoking hole in the ground, which, at any other garden party would have been cause for alarm. At the Flavours of Plenty event "Hng with Krena and Kasey" however, this patch of charred earth was the star of the show.
As the name suggests, the evening was a hng -style dinner by celebrity chefs Krena and Kasey Bird, hosted by pop-up restaurant company, Kitchen Takeover. It was also one of several events that took place as part of Tauranga's brand new festival "Flavours of Plenty".
The first of what will be an annual affair, the four-day food festival partners with the region's talented food community to nurture and celebrate its reputation as a top gastronomic destination.
A reputation that could see it become one of Aotearoa's best.
Considering how long places like Hawke's Bay and Wellington have dominated our country's "top foodie destination" stakes, the call is a bold one. However, if Flavours of Plenty is anything to go by, Tauranga is an underdog worth watching. But you don't need to wait for next year's festival before you go to experience it yourself. The Bay is full of flavour, whenever you decide to visit.
As a region, the Bay has always had many of the ingredients needed to become an A-class food region. High-quality soil, warm climate and proximity to the ocean primes it for premium produce and fresh kaimoana, while a 6000-person-strong food-and-beverage industry is ready to help plate it.
The final piece, according to Flavours of Plenty chairwoman and Kitchen Takeover founder Stacey Jones, was the "big city vibe".
Difficult to define yet unmistakable when encountered, the ever-evasive "vibe" is often what sets a destination above the rest, whether for food, arts, sport or fashion.
In the case of food, it's about more than just nice dishes or fancy restaurants, but a crackling synergy between producers and consumers. For good vibes to happen, you need an industry willing to take risks and be innovative, as well as a community eager to get amongst and participate; to buy tickets, fill tables and post all the pictures as they go.
Qualities that were on full display at the pop-up hng and are at the heart of Kitchen Takeover's previous events.
Founded in 2018 by Jones, the pop-up company was inspired by the famous supper clubs and Michelin star restaurants she had attended and loved back home in London. Running for 10 weeks, three times a year, the business has boomed, with 2000-ticket events selling out in days, if not hours.
From the menu to the music, every event is done according to an outlandish theme, such as Eat your Memories (Kiwi nostalgia), Food of the Gods (inspired by Mori deities) or, Truffle Hunting (which will take place in June). Although, some things stay the same; guests are always seated around large communal tables where they can bond over lovingly crafted menus of gorgeous food.
Kitchen Takeover isn't the only sign of the foodie vibes in Tauranga, either.
After a deep, full-belly sleep, and full day of exploring, we spent the following evening at Isakai Bar and Eatery.
Sitting on the edge of Bayview shopping mall and serving up Mori-Japanese fusion, it was far from a rural garden pop-up but shared two key qualities; exquisite food and packed tables.
Opened in 2021, Isakai has its roots in Japanese cuisine and culture with nods to Mori decor and flavours. A combo that seems unusual, until you try their pua gyoza and wonder why more eateries haven't attempted this fusion before.
Slowly picking away at different plates, we basked in the warmth of the open kitchen, scored by the soft murmur of fellow diners. Through the window we watched several reservationless groups cluster outside at what felt like the trendiest spot in town.
Third time's the charm, and for Sunday lunch we found yet another eatery taking risks and being rewarded with a swell of eager patrons.
Plant-based, Italian and Michelin aren't words often found together, unless you're at Sugo. Opened in November 2020, the Italian-inspired eatery is headed by Ian Harrison, a Brit with more than 20 years' experience with top UK chefs and at Michelin-star restaurants.
Italian cuisine isn't novel in Aotearoa but what sets Sugo apart is that beyond the mouth-watering menu of bologna-style beef cheek lasagna and truffle bechamel pizza is another, totally plant-based menu.
As a five-year vegan who has eaten their fair share of side salads and marinara pizza sans-cheese, you can imagine my excitement. Not a plant-based eater himself, Harrison said he relished the challenge of creating traditional flavours and textures using unconventional ingredients. While the alternative menu is available year-round for vegan diners, for Flavours of Plenty, Harrison took it up a notch and hosted a 5-course plant-based feast.
Cooked like a science project (think dehydrating and rehydrating, pickling and smoking), and plated like an artwork, these dishes weren't just "good for plant-based" or "as good as meat opt"ons' but easily in a league all of their own. It isn't extravagant to say digging into their gnocchi with mushroom reduction was a somewhat spiritual experience.
Judging from the sold-out tables all around us, we weren't the only ones to think so.
So, does Tauranga, have what it takes to rise through the ranks and become one of the renowned foodie cities of Aotearoa? If what they say is true, and the proof really is in the pudding, I have no doubt.
DETAILSFor more things to see and do in the region, go to bayofplentynz.com
For more travel inspiration, go to newzealand.com/nz.
Check traffic light settings and Ministry of Health advice before travel at covid19.govt.nz
Originally posted here:
How the Bay of Plenty could be one of New Zealand's best food destinations - New Zealand Herald
- New Zealand keep series alive after England's dramatic collapse - Yahoo Sports - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- New Zealand to Ban Disposable Vapes | TIME - TIME - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- U.S. Men's Olympic Soccer Team to Face France, New Zealand and Asia-Africa Playoff Winner in Group A at 2024 ... - U.S. Soccer - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Around the world: New Zealand settling into World Championship - worldcurling.org - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- New Zealand will ban disposable e-cigarettes in a bid to prevent minors from taking up the habit - The Associated Press - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- New Zealand beat England by three runs in third womens T20 international as it happened - The Guardian - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Thailand revokes visas of New Zealand tourists after roadside brawl with police - South China Morning Post - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- England beat New Zealand by 15 runs in second womens T20 international as it happened - The Guardian - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- England Women begin tour of New Zealand with victory in opening T20 - The Guardian - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Jack Blacks epic New Zealand Warriors moment goes viral: Up the Wahs! - New Zealand Herald - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- New Zealand vs England third T20 result: Hosts keep series alive - The Telegraph - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- More details revealed about New Zealand interest in joining AUKUS security pact - RNZ - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- For 60 years NZ has searched its 'Bermuda Triangle' for the Dragonfly a plane that got lost in the clouds - ABC News - ABC News - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Filipina-Kiwi actress Franki Russell appointed as Miss Universe New Zealand - GMA News Online - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- England suffer dramatic three-run defeat to New Zealand in third T20 international - Sky Sports - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- England take T20 series lead with comfortable win over New Zealand in Dunedin as Heather Knight stars - Eurosport COM - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- New Zealand February trade data shows exports and imports both climbing from January - ForexLive - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- New Zealand v England: Tourists collapse to hand White Ferns victory in third T20 - BBC - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Thailand revokes visas for New Zealand tourists arrested for attacking police officer - The Independent - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Does a weak New Zealand economy lead to a weak NZ dollar? - Interest.co.nz - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- England Women suffer defeat against New Zealand in Nelson - SuperSport - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- SailGP Black Foils win ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in the chaos and collisions - Sailweb - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- 'Dragonfly' plane mysteriously lost in New Zealand's 'Bermuda Triangle' is still being searched for 60 years later - Supercar Blondie - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- New Zealand adds two Paris 2024 Olympic spots at Oceania qualifier - World Archery - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- China always regards New Zealand as a sincere friend, important partner amid complex international situation ... - Global Times - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Chumbawamba asks New Zealand's populist party to stop using hit song Tubthumping - The Independent - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Captains knock from Knight helps England to T20 win in New Zealand - The Guardian - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Why is New Zealand's deputy PM rowing with Chumbawamba? - The Spectator - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Molly Caudery's New Zealand training is just another example of her life of chaos... the pole vaulter is one o - Daily Mail - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- We Were Dangerous Filmmakers On Their Hilarious Yet Tense New Zealand Period Drama - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Police hunt for two women kicked out of Auckland metal concert - New Zealand Herald - January 14th, 2024 [January 14th, 2024]
- Hospitality New Zealand to launch industry strategy looking to next 10 years - RNZ - January 14th, 2024 [January 14th, 2024]
- Australia, New Zealand move toward clean energy transition - Anadolu Agency | English - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Airdate: New Zealand From A Train - TV Tonight - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Labours Winter Plan Excludes Half Of New Zealand - Scoop - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- What's New On Disney+ | Flamin' Hot (Australia/New Zealand) - What's On Disney Plus - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Roundup: Telehealth providers needed in rural New Zealand and ... - Healthcare IT News - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Why it's taking so long to open New Zealand's first Ikea - Stuff - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- New Zealand companies showcase apple, kiwi in HCM City - Viet Nam News - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Christopher Luxon has a point: New Zealand needs more people - Stuff - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Climate scientist says New Zealand insulated from worst, but warns ... - RNZ - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Can the New Zealand Super Pacific teams be stopped this weekend? - RNZ - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- New Zealand Fiji reaffirm close relationship - Beehive.govt.nz - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- New Zealand has a new Scrabble champ - Times - Times Online - Auckland - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Elite sports trainer had sexual relationship with teen athlete who fell ... - New Zealand Herald - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- New independent advisory board welcomed to the Royal New ... - New Zealand Police - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- IBM New Zealand's profit took a mauling in FY2022 - Reseller News - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Elliott Smith: Why NZ has a Super Rugby coaching problem - New Zealand Herald - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Hospitality Innovator To Open Hospitality New Zealand Conference - Scoop - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- The New Zealand travel card game being adopted by stoned ... - The Spinoff - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Boxing New Zealand welcomes IOC's decision to terminate 'corrupt ... - Stuff - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- How a spooky old water tank inspired New Zealand's latest creature ... - The Spinoff - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- He drove almost the length of New Zealand: Truck driver disqualified ... - New Zealand Herald - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- What will 200000 buy in Norway, Sweden, South Africa, New ... - The Irish Times - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Where to find New Zealand's best sea experiences on World ... - New Zealand Herald - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- New Zealand specialists to probe sudden chicken deaths - Cook Islands News - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Qantas v Air New Zealand to New York: Is there room for both? - New Zealand Herald - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- A Journey Through New Zealands Less-Visited Corners Showcases Mori ... - March 31st, 2023 [March 31st, 2023]
- New Zealand: 7.1-magnitude earthquake prompts tsunami warning in ... - March 20th, 2023 [March 20th, 2023]
- New Zealand actress Melanie Lynskey reveals romantic behind the scenes secret from The Last of Us series - New Zealand Herald - March 20th, 2023 [March 20th, 2023]
- Gin Wigmore on what she doesnt miss about New Zealand and gnarly birth experience - New Zealand Herald - March 20th, 2023 [March 20th, 2023]
- China wants to help New Zealand recover from Cyclone Gabrielle, including financing, constructing key infrastructure - Newshub - March 20th, 2023 [March 20th, 2023]
- New Zealand on Alert over Supervolcano with Explosive History - March 13th, 2023 [March 13th, 2023]
- New Zealand police reach more people previously not contactable after ... - February 20th, 2023 [February 20th, 2023]
- Cyclone Gabrielle: fresh storm warnings for New Zealands worst-hit ... - February 20th, 2023 [February 20th, 2023]
- UPDATE: New Zealand government estimates more than $8 billion worth of damage caused by cyclone Gabrielle - Euro Weekly News - February 20th, 2023 [February 20th, 2023]
- Warning as major new scam cons New Zealand investors out of millions in just a few weeks - Newshub - February 20th, 2023 [February 20th, 2023]
- 15 Most Beautiful Small Towns in New Zealand - WorldAtlas - February 5th, 2023 [February 5th, 2023]
- Ed Sheeran dissed New Zealand chocolate in 2015 - now he thinks it's 'actually alright' - Newshub - February 5th, 2023 [February 5th, 2023]
- New Zealand lifts state of emergency declaration as rain ... - February 2nd, 2023 [February 2nd, 2023]
- New Zealand Pop-Punk Band Goodnight Nurse Are Reuniting to Open for My Chemical Romance Next Month - Concrete Playground - February 2nd, 2023 [February 2nd, 2023]
- New Zealand prepares for more flooding after country's ... - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- Auckland flooding: death toll rises as New Zealand hit with ... - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- There is still enough pull to play for New Zealand: Ferguson on players giving up contracts - The Indian Express - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- India Predicted XI vs New Zealand: Will Prithvi Shaw be roped in for IND vs NZ 3rd T20I? - Republic World - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- New Zealand climate and weather | 100% Pure New Zealand - January 2nd, 2023 [January 2nd, 2023]
- Countdown for New Year begins; New Zealand welcome 2023 as millions celebrate - The Economic Times - January 2nd, 2023 [January 2nd, 2023]
- New Zealand Welcomes The New Year In Grand Style | Fireworks Show From Auckland's Sky Tower - News18 - January 2nd, 2023 [January 2nd, 2023]
- Sir John Key says mainstream thinking will embrace China again, New Zealand will have 'magnificent' relationship with Beijing - Newshub - December 18th, 2022 [December 18th, 2022]
- Glowworms, rubber tubes, and the Nile: A most unusual adventure in New Zealand - Moneycontrol - December 18th, 2022 [December 18th, 2022]