Darwin International Laksa Festival app to let people know if they are a laksa lover or a laksa legend

Territorians will be able to find out if they’re a “laksa lover” or a “laksa legend” at Darwin’s second annual Laksa Festival with the help of the NT government’s $30,000 boost for the event app.

TERRITORIANS will be able to find out if they’re a “laksa lover” or a “laksa legend” at Darwin’s second annual Laksa Festival to be held in October with the help of the NT government’s $30,000 boost for the event app.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner, releasing extra details about changes to the event, said this year was about acknowledging laksa-eating Territorians alongside the chefs.

The NT Newsrecently revealed the “gamification” of the event app and other upgrades had set the government back $30,000.

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Darwin's Laksa Festival is on again in 2020. Sarah Pollock enjoys a laksa at the Deck Bar in preparation for the festival. Photograph: Che Chorley

Other changes this year include the introduction of laksa ninjas with COVID-19-safe face coverings, who will double as official judges, eating at restaurants serving the spicy soup and eventually crowning the spot with the best laksa.

According to the NT Government the inaugural Darwin International Laksa Festival increased sales and foot traffic to participating establishments by 40 per cent.

“It’s probably never been more important than right now with coronavirus, I want to keep driving those jobs, keep selling those bowls of laksa,” Mr Gunner said.

Darwin publican Jason Hanna, who describes himself as a laksa “purist”, said there had been a huge uptake from customers during the last event across his venues.

Noting last year’s eclectic creations, like Moorish’s laksa pannacotta and Cold Rock’s laksa ice cream, Mr Hanna said he was excited to see what else chefs would cook up this year and how far they’d push the envelope.