Food For Thought

'Food For Thought - An Evening of Q&A's, Discussion by Special Guests who are immigrants to Aotearoa from countries around the world. These guests have played a solid role in shaping our local Food & Beverage Industry and are owners or integral operators within well-known and loved businesses in the Bay.

This event will be a foodie twist to our Women on Top series. Hosted by Stacey Jones, Founder and Director of Kitchen Takeover, we will host an array of special guests who have shaped our food and beverage industry in the Bay of Plenty and learn about their journeys to becoming legends at our markets, restaurants, bars and events.

The speaker line-up will include Johney Zee from 'Johneys Dumpling House)' and his family's story from fleeing the Cambodian Genocide to building a dumpling empire in the Bay. Other guests include Mexico born, Rodolfo García from 'Tacos Tocayo', Philippines born, Neil Sapitula ( Head Chef) and Australian born Nick Potts ( Owner and Director) of Solera Wine Bar and Saltwater Seafood Grill, and Award-winning Brewers Leonie Hoenig from Germany and Pawel Lewandowski from Poland, both who work for Mount Brewing Company.

We will be auctioning a few hospitality themed prizes on the evening for the Cyclone Relief Effort, to help our fellow hospitality industry folk who have been affected.

The General will be providing a nibbles and snack menu for the evening which will be curated using local produce and ingredients only found in the BOP. We will provide a Beer Tasting from Mount Brewing Co.s experimental range.