Seasonal produce and artisan goods from across the Bay of Plenty will take centre stage at Wharfside’s inaugural Harvest Market this Saturday.

The new event – organised by the Whakatāne District Council’s events team, which also runs the popular Wild Food Festival – will celebrate local growers and makers. Visitors can browse seasonal stalls, meet producers, and sample handcrafted delights. The Harvest Market is set to be the first in a series of seasonal events planned for Wharfside.

Adding to the lively atmosphere, the recently upgraded Wharfside venue will host live cooking demonstrations throughout the morning.

Chef Paul Patterson, co-owner of The Fishermen’s Wharf Café, will take the stage at 10am to share one of his restaurant’s favourite dishes.

“We’ll be doing something off our menu – the pecan-crusted snapper – with a little bit of a twist so people can do it at home,” Patterson said. “It’s one of the favourites and super simple. You can leave the beach, come home, and put it together in 10 minutes.”

Patterson’s version features pan-seared snapper dusted with a black pepper and beetroot rub from The Four Saucemen – a spice blend more commonly used for smoking beef, but which he said worked well with this recipe for fish.

To finish, Patterson tops the fish with a crust made from roasted pecans blended into a fine powder.

“It elevates the fish and gives it a nutty, earthy depth,” he said. “Lots of butter helps too.”

A light salad featuring pomegranate and pineapple complements the fish flavours.

Patterson, who took over The Fishermen’s Wharf Café a year ago, says he’s excited for a busy summer ahead.

“We’ve launched our new spring menu,” he said. “The snapper ceviche with avocado and pineapple salsa is one you won’t want to miss, and the slow-roasted cabbage with smoked miso butter is something a bit different.”

He’s noticed business picking up already. “We’re about a month busier than we were last year. Tourists are back, and the weather’s warming up.”

Patterson has had an interesting career as a chef that has taken him across the globe – from launching his own restaurants, consulting for others, and in the competitive world of American BBQ.

Harvest Market demonstration schedule:
■9am–9.45am: Caterina Murphy, Yiayia’s Little Kitchen
■10am–10.45am: Paul Patterson, The Fishermen’s Wharf Café
■11am–11.45am: Nancy Elliot, Whakatāne District Council

What: Wharfside inaugural Harvest Market
When: 8.30am-12.30pm, Saturday