Long lunch, Italian style

Almost 700 Nelsonians lined Trafalgar St yesterday afternoon to sit down and enjoy a very Italian long lunch marking two years before the Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand.

The BYO lunch was organised to celebrate Nelson hosting two games involving the Italian rugby team. Nelson hopes to also host the Italian contingent during the tournament.

Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dot Kettle said the Rugby World Cup was a great opportunity for Nelson businesses to leverage off the worldwide exposure it would generate.

There was salami, pizza, prosciutto and pasta being enjoyed by many businesses, which used the lunch as a chance to share good food with clients and colleagues.

Ms Kettle said 679 people enjoyed the long lunch in Trafalgar St, with many more joining in similar events at Richmond Mall and Mapua Wharf.

Event co-ordinator Julie Baxendine said there was an amazing amount of goodwill from Nelson to get the event off the ground with little funding.

"I was really blown away by the community when tickets sold out in eight days, so I think Nelson is really ready for the World Cup," she said.

"Everyone is embracing the Italian theme with food and dressing up and red, white and green. It's great, it's fantastic."

City councillor Aldo Miccio said Nelson had a strong connection to the Italian community and there were many more events planned during the next two years. He hoped that when the Italian team came to play they would feel like it was a home game.

Pete McNairney of the Mediterranean Food Warehouse and Stefano Bonazza of Stefano's Pizza celebrated the event by creating New Zealand's longest single piece of spaghetti, at 225 metres.

Mr McNairney said the previous New Zealand record was about 160m.

Mr Bonazza said it was not difficult but experience was needed to check the dough to make sure it was perfect.

"We are happy but this is just the beginning," he said.

"In two years we are really going to make a plan to beat the world record of 1800m. This is just for practice."

Arrow International Nelson area manager Steve Kelso brought the only black and white balloons in lone support for his favourite team.

"We thought we would support New Zealand, being the only supporters here.

"Look at the Italian flags and balloons it's fantastic, but go the Kiwis."

- © Fairfax NZ News