Record Numbers At Multicultural Food Festival

Bringing people together is what it was all about at the Southland Multicultural Food Festival on Saturday.

Record numbers came through the door at ILT Stadium Southland for the 16th annual event, and organisers estimated between 12,000 and 15,000 people attended.

Southland Multicultural Trust president Jo Wilson said it was a massive crowd and there were even people lining up waiting to come in before 10am.

“And more people arriving at the end at 4pm keen to come in as well.”

At least five food vendors sold out by early afternoon, and the event also co-incided with Race Relations Day – attracting 47 different food flavours from around the world.

“There was a line at every food stand.  The mood was electric and yet people were so relaxed and enjoyed themselves.”

Everything from biltong to raw fish and even Thai-style popsicle tubes were on offer, along with many other freshly cooked international foods.

Jo said the layout of the festival with tables of 10 was to enable strangers to come together and share their space while enjoying good food.

“It was reminding us that we’re all just people and food is such a social thing, it goes back generations,” she said.

“I don’t think anybody left without a smile on their face.”