Seafood treats for the hungry and adventurous

Marco Kouch is ready to show the hordes the benefits of an Auckland Seafood School education. Photo / Dean Purcell

Chocolate prawns, anyone? How about macadamia scallops?

These and hundreds of other seafood delicacies are on offer at the Auckland Seafood Festival this weekend.

The festival, back for the fourth time at the Halsey St Wharf at the Viaduct, kicks off at midday on Saturday and runs through until Monday, as a celebration of the city's connection with all things fishy.

Organisers are expecting more than 20,000 over the three days, and they'll take some feeding.

It's a good thing, then, that there will be more than 20 food stalls, offering everything from the unusual (see above) to whitebait fritters, salmon kebabs, pizza, paella, oysters and so many mussels that a barge has been booked to bring them all in.

And when you've worked up a thirst from all that seafood, there will be beers and wines aplenty, and a new feature this year - an oyster and champagne tent.

There are competitions for the adventurous, including oyster-eating, and the slippery pole contest for members of the commercial fishing fleet.

Chefs from the Auckland Seafood School demonstrate their skills all weekend, providing ideas for using fresh fish and produce.

Stages at each end of the wharf will host bands including the De Sotos, D-Dub, the Swing Cats and Rebel Without Applause. The festival runs in association with the International Buskers Festival.

FISH THE DISH

What: Auckland Seafood Festival.
Where: Halsey St Wharf, Viaduct Harbour.
When: Saturday to Monday, noon to 7pm each day, rain or shine.
Tickets: $15, children aged under 13 free if accompanied by a parent. Tickets available from iTicket.co.nz.
Who benefits? The Stellar Trust, working towards a P-free New Zealand.
Getting there: Park in the city in either Fanshawe St or Downtown carparks ($3 discount vouchers in yesterday's festival supplement), and walk. Take a bus or cab. Free buses from 1pm to 7.30pm from Mac's Brewbars in Kingsland (Neighbourhood Brewbar), Newmarket (Nuffield St Trading Co) and Britomart.

More information: See aucklandseafoodfestival.co.nz