People in Hawke’s Bay are counting down the days until the inaugural Hastings Meatball Festival rolls into town with star Chefs Peter Gordon and Ben Bayly leading the charge. The varieties are limitless, the flavours magnificent and the puns are endless, say the organisers!
Scheduled for Friday March 14, the CBD of one of New Zealand’s liveliest small cities is set to swell with up to 25 vendors, all offering their version of the beloved Hawke’s Bay meatball.
‘Ball of Fame’
From Italian pork, to prawn and lemongrass, to the ubiquitous crumbed classic Hastings is famous for, local and visiting chefs are busy testing, tasting and refining their recipes, vying for the people’s choice award and induction into the “Ball of Fame”.
The festival, brainchild of Hastings District Council and held on the opening night of Hawke’s Bay’s Food and Wine Classic (F.A.W.C!) is also welcoming New Zealand icon Peter Gordon to the event. Joining a stellar line-up of local legends, top restaurateurs and brilliant bakers, the celebrated chef will share years of ball expertise with students at the newly reopened Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) culinary school, rolling out a special recipe he’s created and perfected himself.
EIT Students
“I am beyond excited to be part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s first ever meatball festival,” says Peter. “I’ll be making and serving my First Light Farms wagyu beef meatballs with kawakawa salsa verde, with help from the students at EIT, carrying on the good work we did at Homeland working with local produce and passing on skills. I’m also rather excited about the other meatballs on offer. From what I’ve read they are going to be next level!”
Even Vegan Neatballs
Ben Bayly (Ahi/Origine/Aosta) will draw on his existing relationship with Matangi, a local premium paddock-to-plate beef producer and butcher, to create a delicious Angus beef option, and there will be meatballs from more than 20 others, including Craft & Social, Sazio, Decibel, OTT in the City, Bareknuckle BBQ, St. Georges Restaurant, Cellar 495, Common Room, and a vegan “neatball” from Hastings Distillers.
“It’s just incrediball to see how this concept has taken off,” says Hastings District Council’s Marketing, Tourism and Experience Lead, Vicky Roebuck. “Hastings has always had a reputation for being a bit ballsy. That’s just how we roll, so we thought, let’s celebrate our foodies! Hastings introduced the European delicacy of a crumbed bitterbal around 50 years ago so it’s always been a local must-eat, but we had underestimated how popular the Hastings Meatball Festival would be. Anticipation is at fever pitch!”
Vicky says she’s looking forward to seeing the variety on offer. “We have several local bakeries making tasty versions of the classic bakery-style meatball, including a nacho-inspired one, along with talented top chefs stepping up to the grill and using their imaginations to create spicy, sticky, saucy and sweet balls, too.”
Dick Frizzell Joins The Party
The festival is family-friendly, with celebrations kicking off from 5pm. Pre-registration for a free ticket is advisable. Meatballs can be purchased at individual stations for between $4 and $10 and there will be a street-bar and lounge, live music, entertainment for kids and adults alike, games and a voting system to decide the best bite of the night.
“It’s a massive thrill to be involved in shaping New Zealand’s first meatball fest,” says Vicky. “My advice – get your friends together, register for tickets, arrive early and come hungry!”
F.A.W.C! is a series of exceptional food and wine experiences set in stunning locations in Hawke’s Bay. Running from March 14-23, F.A.W.C! is a chance to get up close and personal with chefs and food producers, wine makers and the clever people that make up the New Zealand food and wine scene.
Hastings Meatball Festival opens F.A.W.C! 2025, beginning at 5pm in the Hastings CBD. Meatball makers include: Cellar 495, Long Island Deli, Craft & Social, Matangi, Decibel, Sazio, John’s Bakery, Paella A Go Go, Fun Buns, Black Betty BBQ, Bareknuckle BBQ, BJ’s Bakery, St Georges Restaurant, Common Room, OTT In The City, Bambina, Mahora Bakery, Shaneo’s Bakery, Peter Gordon x EIT, Collab Café, Gina’s Food Truck, Hastings Distillers, Rosie O’Grady’s.
