The Territory’s very first International Laksa Festival is well underway, with the festival app being downloaded over 1500 times.
The Member for Port Darwin Paul Kirby today unveiled the much anticipated Golden Bowl trophy which will be awarded to the most popular laksa at the culminating event on Sunday 24 November.
The unveiling occurred at the first Activate Darwin lunchtime event in the Smith Street Mall, with tastings of Fannie Bay Gourmet Meat’s laksa sausages, and Cold Rock Darwin’s laksa ice cream available.
Territory laksa’s are recognised as some of the best in the world, and in its inaugural year the competition is open to any restaurant, eatery or stallholder from across the Darwin, Palmerston and the rural area.
The festival app is proving to be extremely popular with reports of increased laksa sales and many restaurants stating they have sold out of the ‘inspired-by’ dishes such as pannacotta, pies and ice cream.
The Territory Labor Government is reactivating the Darwin CBD through events like Bruce Munro: Tropical Light, Street Art, the Laneway Series and the Laksa Festival.
An exhibition on the history of laksa in Darwin, as well as some additional information about the humble noodle soup will be on display in the Activate Darwin Hub for the duration of the Festival.
Quotes attributed to the Member of Port Darwin, Paul Kirby:
“The Darwin International Laksa Festival aims to further increase restaurant trade, drive people into CBD and surrounding suburbs, and garner greater recognition for Darwin as the gateway to Asia and the capital for Laksa in Australia.
“It is our priority to support Territory businesses by boosting the number of visitors coming into our CBD and creating more local jobs for Territorians. This is why we invest in programs and festival that support local business and drive foot traffic into our fantastic CBD.
“I encourage everyone to download the app and discover the wonderful world of Laksa be it through a traditional soup, pie or dessert!”
