The Food Design Institute @ Otago Polytechnic:
Food design education, research & development and experience design.
The Food Design Institute at Otago Polytechnic is home of New Zealand's first culinary arts degree and the first in the world to use design to teach culinary arts. Contact us for information on design consultancy for food and food experiences as well bespoke food events and catering: [email protected].
04/12/2025
Hey, hi, it's us at FDI đ
It's been a minute between posts, but we're back into it and showcasing what we've been up to over the year. Starting with some dishes designed and produced by our year one Bachelor of Culinary (BCA) crew as part of their Contemporary Mahika Kai project
30/10/2024
Join us for Kai MÄkona, a food market style event highlighting the transformation of a different ârescued foodâ ingredients. Everyone is welcome to come along and share in a celebration of food, environment, and people.
Presented by Bachelor of Culinary Arts Äkonga in partnership with Eat New Zealand. Tickets available on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/kai-makona-tickets-1052956921497?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
08/08/2024
Our visit to the last week featuring in their newsletter! Looking forward to the creations our awesome year 1 Äkonga come up with. Was a treat to see some our year 2 Äkonga selling their products at the market as well.
18/07/2024
More epic mahi from our wonderful tauira.
It was awesome to have the Food & Beverage Service students from the Otago Polytech come along and help us produce some delicious meals for the Night Shelter. Thanks team!
14/07/2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4mmKzRNsWI&t=1s
A video of our recent Matariki project titled Manaakitaka Reka that was held in collaboration with EatNZ and Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau (Sinclair Wetlands). This project involved learners from food, product, and communication backgrounds to create a food experience that spoke to the kaupapa of "How might an indigenous food system create equity for all?". Otago Polytechnic
09/06/2024
Direct link to tickets for our Manaakitaka Reka event.
Manaakitaka Reka Join us for Manaakitaka Reka (Delicious Hospitality) presented by the Food Design Institute in partnership with Eat New Zealand.
05/06/2024
A great day spent out at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau wetlands in preparation for our Manaakitaka Reka feast. Lots of important learnings that will no doubt feed into the final event.
04/06/2024
Feast Matariki event hosted by the Food Design Institute at Otago Polytechnic.
Join us for Manaakitaka Reka (Delicious Hospitality) presented by the Food Design Institute in partnership with Eat New Zealand. As part of Feast Matariki 2024, this unique pop-up event offers an unforgettable food experience celebrating the unique flavours of kai from our waters, forests, and lands. Immerse yourself in the taste of Te Waipounamuâs natural bounty and the warmth of our hospitality. Donât miss this opportunity to savour the exquisite kai from our place and celebrate Matariki with us. Save the date of Wednesday the 26th of June 6-9pm and join us for an evening of delicious discovery! Tickets will be released to the public later this week.
14/11/2023
A wonderful article by year 3 BCA student Colleen OâConnor about her BCA journey.
Culinary journey brings clarity As I find myself on the cusp of completing my culinary arts degree, I can't help but reflect on the journey that brought me here. In just a few...
20/09/2023
Our BCA year 1s collaborating with today - we turned fish by catch donated from Dunedin KiwiHarvest into over almost 250 serves of fish pie to be distributed to charities in Dunedin. This is part of our Manaakitaka for Kai paper - awesome mahi, manaakitaka and kotahitaka demonstrated by our students today! đ
19/09/2023
Jayden Lawrence Owner-operator of Buster Greens in Dunedin, Jayden Lawrence moved to Dunedin to study a Bachelor of Culinary Arts at Otago Polytechnic. He says his love of food goes back a long way . . .