Feastival has been making waves in Taranaki. Quickly becoming the talk of the town since its debut in 2017, its astounding success has attracted food lovers from far and wide to experience its incredible lineup of culinary events. The festival proudly champions local producers, restaurants, cafés, bars and accommodation providers, bringing the community together in celebration of food and hospitality. At the heart of Feastival’s success is its visionary owner and founder Rachel Church (who was recently named one of Cuisine’s Top 50 Women in Food & Drink for 2025). “It’s a weekend filled with local food collaborations, farm tours, workshops, dégustations, demonstrations, cocktail parties, long lunches and more. All of the events are unique to the weekend and many take place in local iconic venues. Many regions throughout New Zealand have food events, but this one is uniquely of Taranaki!” The Edge of Winter Feastival is happening from 3-7 September, so get ready, Taranaki.

Highlights of the festival include a long boujee brunch hosted by West End Precinct favourites Monica’s Eatery and Snug Lounge. This will be an elegant affair that blends fine food with refined company. Meanwhile On The House and WITT are collaborating to present a locally sourced multi-course dégustation, a truly exquisite event showcasing ingredients from Taranaki producers and crafted by rising culinary talents. Plant-based enthusiasts will love the event hosted by Wild Pear Kitchen, a beloved New Plymouth café known for its nourishing vegetarian, vegan and immunity-boosting cuisine. Down in Hāwera, a flavour-packed collaboration brings together The Burnt Place Bar & Kitchen, Caffeinate, Someday Café and The Lunch Shack in a medley of tastes that capture the region’s vibrant food culture. For a full sensory experience, Blue Petal Botanicals will host a seasonal event pairing herbal-distillation demonstrations with hands-on cocktail and mocktail workshops. Juno Gin is also getting involved with a special event featuring seasonal gins paired with local produce. The award-winning Taranaki Farmers Market is crafting a unique celebration in collaboration with a local chef, and along the waterfront Salt Restaurant is planning a one-of-a-kind feast. At Fenton Street Distillery, guests can savour locally distilled spirits while enjoying readings from Echoes From the Land. Stuart Greenhill, author of this fascinating collection of stories, poetry, paintings and photographs, is a distiller at Fenton Street Distillery where he connects stories and flavours of provincial Taranaki.

Rest up after these culinary adventures with the offer of exclusive Feastival deals at local accommodation. Allow yourself to unwind at boutique stays such as the Nice Hotel and King and Queen Hotel Suites, or scenic getaways such as Roebuck Farm and Little Church Bay. There’s no better reason to turn Feastival into a long weekend getaway.

An event such as Feastival wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated people behind it – it’s brought to life by the Taranaki Culinary Action Group, a passionate collective of hardworking locals all throughout the food-and-beverage industry dedicated to celebrating community and cuisine.

At Feastival’s Edge of Winter, every experience is crafted with care, whether you’re sipping local spirits or exploring plant-based delights, discovering hidden gems or meeting passionate makers while tasting the essence of a region proud of its roots. Feastival is a true celebration of Taranaki’s soul and flair.

The most anticipated culinary event of the season is not far away. So mark your calendar, you won’t want to miss it. To find out more and book your feast visit feastival.co.nz