Tamarillos, passionfruit, swiss chocolate, vanilla, strawberry….

These are just some of the flavours, the tastes, that will be explored in a brand new exhibition called ‘The Food Bowl of Plenty’ at the Western Bay Museum in Katikati.

There’s also blueberries, truffles, nuts and Kiwano, the bizarre horned melon.

“Behind our kilometres of shelterbelts are a lot of small, boutique producers doing some amazing things,” says museum manager Paula Gaelic.

An array of outstanding delicacies like olive oil, cheese and salami.

“The museum exhibition means it’s now their time in the sun.

“And these people are grateful for the chance to get their name and their products out there.”

Thirty producers and suppliers will feature in the exhibition, which will share their history and stories, and reflect on the commitment and hard work of small stand-alone businesses.

Create awareness

Like the growers of the exotic and peculiar Kiwano – elliptical and yellow with bright red spiky horns, and the flesh of a bright green cucumber.

“Tastes of banana, cucumber, lime, strawberry and kiwifruit,” says Te Puke grower Isaac Hutchings.

“Depending on how ripe it is.”

He grows 10 hectares each season – about 30,000 trays or 150 tonnes and exports the fruit mostly to California.

“Not massive in New Zealand, but something Kiwis could grow to love.”

And if they take in the Western Bay Museum exhibition, it might create an awareness, people might be more inclined to buy and try.

“We don’t mean to take away from the standout kiwifruit and avocado industries – the horticultural giants that have fueled the economy of the Western Bay,” says Paula.

“But there’s way more to the Bay of Plenty than just kiwifruit and avocado.

"But just on a much smaller scale.”

The exhibition will put a spotlight on the innovation, growth and development of those industries.

A mix of Matahui Distisllery's liqueurs and gin. Photo: John Borren.

“We hope people will take away a ‘wow’ factor from the exhibition, and that they support those industries.”

The exhibition, which opens this Saturday, March 23, is aligned with Tourism Bay of Plenty’s ‘Flavours of Plenty Festival’ running from April 4-14.

“That’s a celebration of the Bay of Plenty’s world class food scene, a culinary experience, while our museum ‘Food Bowl of Plenty’ exhibition is a celebration of those who supply all those extraordinary flavours to the hospitality industry.”

And beyond to California like the Kiwanos.

Innovation

Aren’t museums all about history, and collecting and safeguarding relics, artifacts and specimens?

“They are also about innovation,” says Paula.

“The world today and the world tomorrow.”

And that’s the direction this exhibition is looking.

“We seriously need to support local or New Zealand-made.

"And the exhibition will give people another reason to do that.”

Paula recently had family out from Darwin and she couldn’t make them enough fresh salads, vegies and fruit.

“Because living in Darwin, everything had to be shipped in.

"We totally take the availability of all our wonderful produce for granted.”

Food Bowl of Plenty might just help to change that attitude.

Meanwhile, Te Puke grower Isaac has just sliced open his daily Kiwano.

“Full of antioxidants and vitamins.”

In fact he’s just hosted a group of AUT students who’ve started a three-year study.

“They think Kiwanos might have anti-cancer and heart disease benefits.”

The Western Bay Museum’s Food Bowl of Plenty exhibition will offer food for thought and understanding from Saturday, March 23 to May 31, 2024.