Industry invite to Coromandel food forum in November

If you're a craft beer brewer, winemaker, artisan food producer or provider, or run an eatery on the Coromandel, we're inviting you to our first Coromandel Food Forum to be held in November.

Featuring invited speakers and plenty of time to mingle with your fellow Coromandel food producers and restaurateurs over homegrown food and drinks, the event has been organised by our Council as part of the Coromandel Food Collective initiative.

“There’s a huge amount of value in sharing ideas on common issues that our food businesses face and this event allows our producers to get together, meet and discuss some of their challenges as well as what’s working well for them,” says Laurna White, Council's Communications, Marketing and Events manager.
"We'll also have Council staff and food and hospitality industry experts on hand to provide advice and guidance on a whole range of issues that will be of interest, including things like health and safety and export opportunities," says Mrs White.

The event is being held from 12-4pm Monday 6 November and kindly hosted by Leon Smith owner of Coromandel’s newest brewer and restaurant, Marina Bar and Grill, on the spectacular waterfront location at the new Tairua Marina.
There will be several guest speakers, before the opportunity to mix and mingle and network.
The event will also be the launch of the 2018 edition of the Coromandel Food Collective’s Food Trail guide, which is currently being compiled. The 2018 edition of the Coromandel Food Collective’s Food Trail Guide is being compiled and all Coromandel-based food producers and establishments wishing to be included should contact our Council without delay.

The Coromandel Food Collective is a network of niche and artisan food producers on the Coromandel.

Our Council supported the collective again this year with the creation and co-ordination of a Coromandel Food Collective stand at the Food Show in Auckland, featuring Thames Valley Bacon, 309 Honey, Chocolates Are Us and Castle Rock Cafe.

The aim was to help producers get their products known further afield and continue to raise the profile of The Coromandel as a destination for lovers of artisan food and beverages with a diverse range of products for tastings and for sale.

Exhibitors reported that while definitely worthwhile from a sales point of view, a major benefit was working together with others from the Coromandel under one umbrella, and getting their product into the hands of chefs and buyers.
Some of the Coromandel Collective exhibitors from the Food Show will utilise and stock each other’s products as a result of the time spent together at The Food Show.

If you are interested in attending the Food Forum on Monday 6 November please email amber.baker@tcdc.govt.nz or phone her on 07 868 0200.

The beautifully designed Food Trail Guide is available for visitors to download from our website www.tcdc.govt.nz/foodguide, Destination Coromandel's website www.thecoromandel.com/homegrown or pick up from information centres and Council offices.
Read more about the work of the Coromandel Food Collective here.