Rarotonga will get a taste of Germany with the return of the annual Oktoberfest this coming weekend.

It is the second year running that On The Beach (OTB) Restaurant owner/operator Phillip Nordt has hosted the event after Covid-19 lockdown inspired him to share a sample of his homeland with the Cook Islands.

“Because no one could travel we thought we would bring Germany to Rarotonga.”

Nordt, who has been on Rarotonga for eight years, grew up in the southern part of Germany and trained in hospitality for several years in Munich during the 1970s and 80s.

Every year he would attend Oktoberfest – the world’s largest beer and food festival – held in Munich.

Nordt worked for upmarket catering conglomerate Käfer, serving up German cuisine to the punters at some of the festivals.

“Oktoberfest is to welcome summer, give thanks and celebrate harvest and traditional foods,” he said.

“We have fantastic food and drink here on Rarotonga,” he added.

Nordt said he would be preparing a number of traditional German specialties for this weekend’s event, including hand-made sausages, pretzels, bratwurst, sauerkraut, pork roast and dumplings, and apple strudle.

He last returned to Germany in 2018 when he took one of his chefs to a competition in Frankfurt.

“I think a lot of people don’t realise that Germany is very hospitable, very friendly and there is some great food.

“Germans love singing, great food and great beer and there will be all of that at the festival here.”

Oktoberfest kicks off at 12 noon, at OTB on Saturday.