Hundreds of thousands of hard-working staff are taking flight to produce Kitchen Takeover's latest flavour extravaganza. 

The pop-up restaurant trailblazers have combined with Tauranga's Bee First Apiaries, run by Maree and Craig Paynter, to produce a unique foodie experience for Flavours of Plenty Festival. 

Maree and Craig have been rearing bees for more than two decades, experimenting with honey in a range of ways, producing delicious raw product, creating beeswax candles and brewing a unique take on traditional mead. 

They are now opening the gates of their apiary in Whakamārama, allowing keen culinary participants to suit up in full beekeeping attire and get up close and personal with one of nature’s most important - and hard-working - creatures. 

The fully interactive tour will give you the chance to learn all about the world of bees, see their colonies up close, harvest honey from the hives and extract it to take home. Of course, samples of their mead and honey will be part of the package. 

Before or after your beekeeping experience, we are also offering an optional à la carte two-course lunch at St Amand, where Kitchen Takeover’s head chef, has developed a menu inspired by the remarkable world of bees, thinking outside the hive to produce a gastronomic showcase of Bee First Apiaries and their amazing team. 

What? Beekeeping experience + spin your own honey

When? 5th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th April | 10am - 12pm or 2:30pm - 4:30pm

Where? 325c Esdaile Road, Tauranga, 3180

How much? $89pp + small booking fee

FAQ’S 👇

• Health and Safety

  Please note that Bees First Apiaries cannot eliminate the risk of a bee sting during this experience but they will do the utmost to ensure your safety while onsite. To reduce the risk suitable safety gear must be worn at all times while visiting the apiaries:

  • Full body apiarist suit and veil will be provided;

  • Gloves will be provided;

  • Covered shoes and socks must be worn;

  • First aid kits which include Epipens and antihistamines will be available and used if necessary.

  If you have a known allergy to bees, you will have to sit this one out but keep your eyes peeled for other foodie experiences coming in 2024.

• Is the event suitable for children?

  This event is suitable for those 16 years old and above.

• Is the event weather dependent?

  Unless the weather deems unsafe to do so, Honey Harvest will go ahead. If it rains you will then be sheltered by a marquee.

• What should I wear?

  Covered shoes and socks must be worn. A full body suit and veil will be provided to go over your clothes. This experience is taking place on a working apiary, so give your fancy shoes a miss today!