There’s just one sleep left until the Darwin CBD comes alive with all things laksa, for the finale of the second Darwin International Laksa Festival.
This year’s event has already proved bigger, better and spicier – with the Territory’s laksa legends setting new laksa-loving records.
With one day to go:
· Almost 5,000 laksas and laksa-inspired dishes have been purchased during the festival.
· More than 1,300 votes have been cast for the best laksa dish and laksa-inspired dish.
There have been 49 participating venues and eateries in this year’s Laksa Festival – offering 34 laksa dishes as well as another 34 laksa-inspired offerings including chicken schnitzels, smoothies, ice cream, empadas, oysters, dumplings and cocktails.
The festival has successfully encouraged Territorians and visitors to eat out and order takeaway at some of the Top End’s terrific eateries – supporting jobs in what is traditionally the quieter low season period.
The festival culminates in the CBD on Sunday afternoon, where the winners of the prestigious Golden Bowl Award for Best Laksa, and the two People’s Choice for Best Laksa and Best Inspired by Laksa Dish will be announced.
For the first time, Territorians will also see a leading “Laksa Legend” crowned – an honour presented to the diner who ate the most laksas throughout the month-long festival. So far there have been 10 Laksa Legends – people who have eaten more than 20 laksas during the festival.
Never-before-seen laksa ninjas have also helped spice up the competition this year. The secret list of judges were enlisted to taste and score several laksas throughout the tour, and an aggregate score from them was used to compile the Top Ten laksas.
Today, our judging panel – led by Territory icon Jimmy Shu – are locked away in a blind-tasting session to determine the Golden Bowl winner.
The Darwin International Laksa Festival event details are as follows:
· Date: Sunday 29 November 2020
· Time: 3pm – 10pm
· Place: Chung Wah Society, Woods Street, Darwin City
This is a strictly COVID-safe event. Attendees should register at www.laksafestival.nt.gov.au and bring their ticket with them to the event – either on a phone or printed. If you don’t have a ticket, you will be required to register on arrival.
As noted by Chief Minister, Michael Gunner:
“The Laksa Festival continues to be a hit amongst Territorians and visitors – it’s a celebration of an iconic Territory dish that brings people together, and helps keeps locals in jobs.
“It’s been awesome to see so many people become laksa likers, lovers and legends over the past few weeks.
“Everyone knows this period as the low season, but right now you wouldn’t know it. There’s a real buzz around the place and the Laksa Festival has been a big part of that.
“This isn’t just about laksas, this is about jobs. The Laksa Festival puts us on the map, boosts tourism and supports local jobs.
“So keep eating laksas and keep saving jobs.”
