The launch of Downtown Tauranga's Taste Tauranga food festival has been met with widespread support and already several events have sold out, signalling the interest for more showcase events and offerings in the city centre, and delighting organisers.

The event which has been put together by Downtown Tauranga is running throughout August.

It features a unique ‘set menu' offering with different price points from $20, $30, $45, to more than $60 across about 25 restaurants, cafes and bars in the city centre.

There's also exclusive events and specialty offerings.

Downtown Tauranga spokesperson Millie Newitt says it's a true celebration and showcase of the city centre.

'We have some of the most amazing restaurants, bars and cafes in our city centre and it's time we celebrated that. This event allows us to entice the public to make August the month they try new taste sensations, new venues and new experiences.”

Dubbed the ‘showcase food festival', Taste Tauranga also features some firsts, including a Tapas Trail with restaurant favourites Brooklyn Patio and Bar, Macau, Nomad Food + Wine and The Barrel Room, who together have teamed up to create a Tuesday night event.

'This is the first time we've had eateries collaborate like this to create a very special event that allows the public to visit four different venues and be treated to a fabulous tapas and a drink.

'It's so successful the first Tuesday Tapas Trail sold out in two days, and the second, on August 14, has just two tickets remaining. We are hoping to open up Tuesday August 21 for a third and final Tapas Trail as part of the festival.”

Celebrity Chefs Karena and Kasey Bird are also strong supporters of the inaugural Taste Tauranga and are working in collaboration with Downtown Tauranga to create a unique signature event which they will host.

Millie says it will be an amazing evening for the public to spend with global culinary superstars Karena and Kasey.

'It's called Beneath the Surface and will be a celebration of the traditional underground cooking methods from around the word.

'Throughout the dinner Karena and Kasey will put a modern spin on some of the different underground cooking techniques and flavours they have experienced in their travels around the globe and present them in a fun and fine dining experience. We're expecting it to be a sold-out event.”

Millie says the set menu offering gives the public ultimate choice.

'With more than 25 eateries involved there's so much to choose from.”

She says people who want to be involved should head to the Downtown Tauranga website, choose the price of their set menu option, the food they like and the venue to match.

'It's fun. The hardest thing is choosing and we're hoping that means the public will make August the month to really support our hospitality sector and maybe have lunch and dinner out a little more often than normal, as a treat.”

Also featuring on the events list during the month are wine and craft beer tasting evenings, a whiskey and cheese pairing event and a wild degustation.

'We also have a special extra treat for the public. Anyone who dines at any of our cafes, bars or restaurants during the month will be in to win a pair of diamond earrings from Peet Jewellers and free dining for a year.”

People are also encouraged to take photos of what they order and upload them to Instagram with the #tastetauranga hashtag, to go in to win a $200 dining voucher at an establishment of their choice.

For more details on Taste Tauranga visit www.downtowntauranga.co.nz