Food Design Institute at Otago Polytechnic

04/12/2025

Hey, hi, it's us at FDI 👋
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 Mākona, a food market style event highlighting the transformation of a different ‘rescued food’ ingredients. Everyone is welcome to come along and share in a celebration of food, environment, and people.

Presented by Bachelor of Culinary Arts ākonga 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 ākonga come up with. Was a treat to see some our year 2 ākonga 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.

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 Waipounamu’s natural bounty and the warmth of our hospitality. Don’t 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 O’Connor about her BCA journey.

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! 👏

19/09/2023

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 . . .