The Long Lunch event in Te Anau last weekend exceeded the expectations of organisers, selling 136 tickets and raising over $1700 for local community group Fiordland Trails Trust.

The gourmet event involved local restaurants serving guests on Te Anau’s main street, as part of Hospitality New Zealand’s month-long Savour the South campaign. 

Event coordinator Rebecca Laycock says they couldn’t have asked for a better day.

“Overall, it was great day and a huge success.”

“It was an absolutely stunning day. The crowd was just fantastic, the restaurants were fantastic, it really all came together.”

Laycock says organisers are hoping to return to Te Anau again to build off the inaugural event’s success.

“We would love to come back next year and do it all over again on a bigger sale. Covid did impact ticket sales we think, so hopefully by then we will be well and truly through it.”

Ryan Murray, co-owner of food truck Bao Now that served at the event on Saturday, says the day was a great experience. 

A selection of Bao Now's offerings on the day. Photo: Bao Now

“Everything went swell, really. The weather turned it on, which is a real challenge in Fiordland usually, although this year is the exception to that.”

Murray says he received positive feedback from many of those attending and hopes to see the event return to Te Anau in future. 

“With these events the first year is a stepping stone, it’s about getting the word out there.”

“It’s great to see these types of things for the community here, and also for people that like to come here to visit.”