"Last year's event had more than 20,000 visitors and with the support we are getting from Port Stephens we hope to attract that or more," Nelson Bay Town Coordinator Ruth Wilson said.

The event has been marketed in both NSW and Victoria and we are looking forward to a large turn out."

The weekend offers the opportunity to taste some of the best on offer from the Bay and further afield.

Six local restaurants will serve up great food from 10am to 8pm on Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

You are sure to find plenty of tasty Port Stephens seafood on offer.

A new food Port Stephens business Pasta di Porto will be introducing their fresh pasta products at the festival and offering many of them for tasting.

The pasta is manufactured at Anna Bay and will be available for home delivery.

Entertainment will becontinuous and is in several locations including d"Albora Marinas, Apex Park and Nelson Bay CBD.

The waterfront will provide the location for the chance to taste wine from Port Stephens, the Hunter and further afield.

Two new events look set to draw plenty of diners.

On Saturday, from 5pm to 9pm the VIP marquee will be the location for the Bush Tucker Cocktail Party.

Three local chefs will provide the canapes and demonstate how to prepare them.

An Aboriginal dance group will entertain diners.

On Sunday from noon onwards the VIP Marquee will host Chefs Table of the Bay.

Four of the Port's top chefs will be getting together to create a unique lunch. The dishes are designed to match four of the brews from Murray's Craft Brewery.

You need to book your ticket for both the Chefs' Table and the Bush Foods Cocktail Party.

Tickets are available from Nelson Bay Town Management, phone 4984 4751 or at www.tastesatthebay.com.au.