Maketu sisters Karena and Kasey Bird will be in Tauranga next week to whip up a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

The Masterchef winners and award winning TV stars will present ‘Beneath the Surface' as part of the Downtown Tauranga Taste of Tauranga Festival on Thursday, August 30.

Downtown Tauranga spokesperson Millie Newitt says it's an incredible privilege to have Karena and Kasey creating this dining experience in the city centre.

'No surprise, tickets are selling really fast and with only 60 available we expect the event to sell out in the next few days.”

‘Beneath the Surface' will see Karena and Kasey create a unique menu in front of guests showcasing different flavours and ingredients used in the various underground cooking methods they have experienced in their extensive global food travels.

'Each of the three courses will be matched with exceptional New Zealand wine and the stories that go with each dish and between courses we'll share the history and story behind each dish,” says Kasey.

In true innovative Karena and Kasey style, the venue for the event will be the Dry Dock Café in Wharf Street which they plan to transform into a forest like scene.

Co-Owners Sandra Johnson and Roger Norton say it's a fantastic opportunity to be asked to be the venue.

'Karena and Kasey are working with the Downtown Tauranga team to find a location for a pop-up dining experience and they approached us,” says Sandra.

'We have a programme of unique events that happen in our café over the course of the year that allows us to support local initiatives, so this adds to that perfectly.”

Kasey says the evening will be a total experience.

'Guests will actually first meet at The Barrel Room where David and the team will treat them to a pre-dinner drink. Then we will lead them down the street to Dry Dock Café where the magic really unfolds.

'We're taking a modern spin on some of the different underground cooking techniques and flavours from around the world to create a fun, fine dining experience. It's our way of supporting Taste Tauranga.”

Put together by Downtown Tauranga and dubbed the ‘showcase food feastival' Taste Tauranga features set menus, speciality events and offerings across more than 25 restaurants, bars and cafes.

Millie says the food festival, a first for the city centre, is proving hugely popular.

'Many of the events are sold out, people are raving about the Tuesday Tapas Trail and the set menu offerings are a great way for people to maybe enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner out a little more often than normal and to try some new places to dine.”

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

'With over 25 eateries involved there's so much to choose from.

'It's great, all you need to do is jump onto our Downtown Tauranga website, choose whether you want the $20, $30, $45 or $60+ set menu option, then choose the food you like and the venue to match.

'It's fun and a great way to support our hospitality sector and maybe have lunch and dinner out a little more often than normal, as a treat.

'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, you just need to fill in an entry form.

'Plus we are encouraging the public to take photos of what they order and upload them to Instagram with the #tastetauranga, to go in to win a $200 dining voucher at an establishment of their choice,” says Millie.

To find out more about the Karena and Kasey Bird ‘Beneath the Surface' event and all Taste Tauranga events go to www.downtowntauranga.co.nz