For the first time in the competition’s history, hospitality operators in Lower Hutt will be going head-to-head with Upper Hutt and Porirua to create their own limited edition signature summer refresher drinks in the Cool As Challenge ™ running between 12 – 29 January 2023.
Customers will be the given the chance to vote for their favourite drink by QR code located in each cafe or take a selfie with their drink on the Cool As Challenge ™” Facebook, and Instagram pages.
The top two winning drinks across the three cities will be announced on January 30. The six top drinks voted by those enjoying a refreshing summer Cool As Challenge™ drink will be judged by an independent panel of judges.
The announcement of the ultimate winning Cool As drink will take place on February 8. The top six winning drinks will be on offer from 8-12 February for people to enjoy and experience.
Locals and visitors to the region will need to pace themselves with 37 drinks on offer between the three cities alone.
Upper Hutt has come on board with 8 creative, unique, and delectable drinks including Mojito Kombucha from Get Fixed Bicycle, to an Avocado and Honey Dew Smoothie at Silverstream Bakery to a bacon infused caramel thick shake topped with soft serve, candied bacon & caramel sauce at Dirty Burger.
Vibhuti Chopra, Director Strategy Partnerships and Growth for Upper Hutt City Council says the challenge is a great way to promote their talented hospitality businesses.
“We’re excited to be part of this intercity challenge and are looking forward to seeing locals get out and about trying refreshing drinks over Summer.”
Porirua has come to the party with 14 hospitality operators creating a diverse selection of cold drinks including a Mc Banoffface desert style drink from The Karaage Kid to a refreshing pink summer spritzer infused with rhubarb from Café Kaizen and even a healthy, low carb, refined sugar free drink for those calorie counters from Sushil’s Musclechef Kitchen and Café.
Grace Surridge, Economic Development Advisor, for Porirua City Council says the competition will be a great opportunity for their region’s businesses.
“We are thrilled that 14 Porirua businesses will be participating in the Cool As Challenge™ in 2023. They’re fantastic hosts and it’s a great opportunity for them to get creative and share their delicious creations with visitors to Porirua during January”
Finally, Lower Hutt has once again not disappointed with 16 operators going all out to impress their customers with a range of innovative, fun and delicious creations including The Great Kiwiana Shake from Buzz loaded with an amazing shake full of treats, including a Buzzbar, chocolate fish, mallowpuff, Hundreds and Thousands, Moro, Jet Plane, pavlova and other surprises, to a candy floss infused drink called Cloud 9 from Hudsons , complete with a cupcake and a good old fashioned chocolate milkshake from Jo Jo Sweets.
Hutt City Council’s City Centre Lead and organiser Cyndi Christensen says the challenge has a significant impact on the local economy, driving huge sales in participating cafes and increased foot traffic in the CBD.
“The challenge has been so popular two other major cities in the Wellington region have come on board to compete. We are excited to welcome Upper Hutt and Porirua to the challenge and build momentum of this fantastic summer competition”
The challenge, founded by the Hutt City Council to inspire local cafes to be creative and attract people to the Lower Hutt CBD, has grown in popularity since it was launched in 2016.
It was also the direct result of the successful Sweet As Hot Chocolate Challenge™, in which Central Hutt cafes create signature hot chocolates for customers to taste and rank over three weeks in winter.
