Cambridge punches above its weight in the food scene, with many hidden gems as well as stand out performers. The Waikato has a rich “Food Bowl” to draw on. These strengths are brought to light to create a celebration of food, talent and creativity. The event runs over 10 days and showcases Cambridge’s eclectic food scene - incorporating local producers, retailers and hospitality outlets - and inspiring people to eat, learn, experience, and to become natural ambassadors for Cambridge.
Culinary Cambridge incorporates a wide variety of functions, so that there is something for everyone, catering to different interests and passions. From market garden and dairy farm tours, to compost workshops, long lunches, degustation dinners, beer and meat duo’s and Champagne breakfasts. All will be infused with local products and talent. This year sees the addition of a VIP opening night party at the glamourous Henley Hotel, a special long lunch at Takapoto Estate and Cooking demonstrations from our much-loved local Chefs.
It is also about educating people about local produce and where their food comes from, sustainability and environmental choices they can make around food. Local eateries will show case their specialties and bring the community together over great food and company. The event is being held in spring for several reasons - to boost the local community in a traditionally quiet “shoulder season”, to coincide with spring produce and to show case Cambridge when the town is full of spring blossom.
2019 was the inaugural festival, with 24 events lined up over 10 days. Many events were sold out and the feedback from both hosts and customers was fantastic. Many guests came from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty area, and this year the advertising will be extended to reach a wider audience, particularly the Auckland and Bay of plenty region, with the view of increasing visitor nights to Cambridge.
Forsyth Barr Investment is once again supporting the event as the Major Sponsor. Destination Cambridge CEO Miff Macdiarmid said “The support from the Cambridge office of Forsyth Barr, means our event is back for 2020, and will be even better than our inaugural 2019 event. They understood our desire to support local, and particularly the hospitality industry which has been one of the hardest hit by Covid-19. It is invaluable to have the support of this firm, giving back to the community of Cambridge”. Forsyth Barr is a New Zealand-owned investment firm with offices nationwide and a history of over 80 years of providing investment services. Forsyth Barr’s Cambridge Branch Manager Michelle Rolley says, “As a proudly New Zealand-owned firm with a large presence in the Waikato, Forsyth Barr and particularly our staff in the Cambridge office are pleased to be involved and supporting Culinary Cambridge again in 2020.”
This year sees the addition of a two new silver sponsors - Cambridge Real Estate and Takapoto Estate. Cambridge Real Estate was established in 2007 and works to invest the benefits of their growth back into the Cambridge community, supporting the likes of Cambridge Life skills, Kids in Need Waikato, Resthaven Village, Local Schools, Community exercise equipment and more. They saw this sponsorship as an opportunity to support the Cambridge hospitality industry that brings so much vitality to the town. Takapoto Estate is a stunning private property on the shores of Lake Karapiro that has a beautifully appointed Event Marquee situated alongside their vineyard.
https://www.cambridge.co.nz/events/culinary-cambridge/
UPDATE: Unfortunately due to Alert Level 2 restrictions Culinary Cambridge has been postponed.