A new singles event launching in Taupō this month is aiming to offer an alternative to both dating apps and traditional speed dating, pairing guests over a shared meal instead of a countdown clock.
Julian Bishop, organiser of Small Plates Speed Dates, told Lake FM the format grew out of his experience running Mix & Mingle events, after noticing singles wanted a genuine way to meet people in person.
"It's a new dating experience that we launched here in Taupō," Bishop said. "Essentially, guests come together over a shared meal — you enjoy eight small plates and meet up to eight new people in a hosted setting. It's designed to feel more like a great night out rather than a high-pressure dating experience."
Unlike conventional speed dating, where conversations are cut short by a bell, Bishop said the dinner format gives guests significantly more time with each person they meet.
"It really is different from a bell going bang and you've got [to] move down, you've got four minutes," he said. "You're doing this over dinner, you probably have more like ten to twelve minutes of conversation, which really gives you a chance to meet that person genuinely."
On the night, guests are welcomed, seated and guided through a series of hosted conversation rounds as small plates are served. At the end of the evening, guests can privately indicate who they'd like to connect with again, with the organisers facilitating any mutual matches.
Events are structured around ten-year age bands to keep guests grouped with people in a similar life stage, and ticket numbers are kept evenly balanced. If a particular age band sells out, Bishop said singles are encouraged to join the waitlist, as spaces can open up.
The first Taupō event runs on 29 July for the 42–52 age band, with further dates for the 35–45, 48–60, 55–68 and 60-plus groups running through to November.
Bookings can be made at speeddate.nz.
