Creative, Sweet presents Table Talkers 2026

CREATIVE, SWEET PRESENTS TABLE TALKERS 2026

Table Talkers has always been a space for creatives to find and build their community, an evening where artists can draw and network to the taste of BurgerFuels own creative endeavours, aka 'New Zealand’s original gourmet burger' However, over the past few years we have allowed this event to get comfortable in cruise control, and decided it was time to take the wheel again and put pedal to the metal as we steer our way into a new territory.

We cast the net wide this year, and extended it beyond our creative community, for as much as we love to see our creative friends in action, we relish the opportunity to see them thrive. This years attendance was met with industry leaders from brands, media, PR and small to large businesses, giving them a chance to meet the creatives in their community. Guests were provided with different badges on arrival, an opportunity to differentiate between creatives and industry, offering them a chance to connect with each other and create opportunities of their own.

For the first time we we opened the floor to some of our creative leaders; artists and people that have built their lives around their aspirations and trail blazed paths that have allowed our creative communities to thrive. Berst (Dr Bobby Hung), Flox (Hayley King) & Matt Heath from Limn Gallery were invited to the floor alongside Creative, Sweet founder and long time Friend of the Fuel, Haser, who hosted our creatives. Each are dispersed across the creative spectrum, each of them representing core aspects of our creative industry and each a leader in their own respect. Each speaker spoke about their personal journey, but was also able to fill in gaps and provide live answers to what they believe are their frequently asked questions. Presentations were delivered in a Petcha Kucha format, a quick delivery that touches on many things but equally leaves people wanting more, encouraging them to engage with each other afterwards.

As well as a good ol networking opportunity, guests were encouraged to channel their inner creativity by flaunting their doodle skills. Tables were dressed with paper, something reminiscent of our High School art class and Friends of the Fuel, Staedtler provided a range of drawing utensils to get to work.

BurgerFuel has been a continuous supporter of our Tattoo community, from housing them in our stores and offering staff with tatoos front of house positions when the rest of the industry turned them away, to creating pop-up tattoo parlours at our events (before it was cool). This time we offered our guests an opportunity to give it a go, our tattoo recipients (bananas) were picked carefully and sat patiently, awaiting the art of some hesitant first timers to adorn their skin. There was frustration all around as guests realised it is harder than it looks, encouraging them to give their flowers to our tattoo community, and coming to grips that there is a reason they charge top dollar.

If you missed out on Table Talkers, and are a creative that would like to get involved in Creative, Sweet or our Sketchup programme, make sure to get in touch with the team at BurgerFuel HQ!