Darwin International Laksa Festival 2024 kicks off Darwin International Laksa Festival 2024 kicks off
Darwin is “the capital city of laksa,” claims one chef who is keen to reclaim his ‘golden bowl’ title at the 2024 Darwin International Laksa Festival.
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A record-breaking 127 venues are jumping on the 2024 Darwin International Laksa Festival, with local chefs dishing up creative specials aimed at ensuring all taste buds are satisfied throughout the event.
While the Dry Season buzz comes to a close, kitchens across the city have strapped themselves in for a straight month of serving up thousands of delicious laksa and laksa-inspired dishes in a bid to be crowned Darwin’s best laksa.
Award-winning laksa champion Jason Chin of Chok’s Place said the festival underlined Darwin’s claim as the epicentre of Australia’s laksa scene.
“What we’ve achieved in Darwin is a real eye-opener that Darwin is the capital city of laksa,” he said.
“From here I’m sure we can grow the event and I think ultimately we will take it international.”
The chefs behind the scenes have not allowed themselves to be limited, with laksa-flavoured ice cream, bagels, sausages and deserts to make their way onto menus in October.
With a smile, Mr Chin said pride was on the line for the families involved in the event – including his own.
“There’s no shortcut about my laksa,” he said.
“As you know, just to produce 30 laksas it takes four hours.”
With Darwin home to a strong and diverse Asian community, Activate Darwin’s Jo Smallacombe said she was not surprised the Top End was capable of hosting such events.
“Because Darwin is a very multicultural society, I think it’s just something that people from here and the rest of the Territory have come to embrace.”
Ms Smallacombe revealed a pop-up laksa stall had been sent to Melbourne with a view to lure Victorians north for this month’s festival.
“We hope to use it as a way to attract people from interstate to come and visit,” she said.
With around $200,000 invested into the event through Activate Darwin, Ms Smallacombe said she hoped to see the festival grow.
“We’ve got some great sponsors as well who have assisted us,” she said.
“It is something that over time we hope to grow – we’re in year six already and it just keeps growing every year.”
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