The countdown is on and there's only 116 days until the return of the iconic and most delicious Whitianga Scallop Festival.

Along with delectable scallops, this year's festival will also feature a number of award winning chefs plus an array of entertainment served up at the festival which takes place on September 19.

General Admission tickets are now on sale for the 2015 Whitianga Scallop Festival. Photo: File

General admission tickets have gone on sale and new festival coordinator Linda Simonsen says preparations are now in full swing.

'We're all locked and loaded and aiming for another sold-out event this year,” says Linda. 'We still have a few spaces left for food stalls at the festival but we're expecting them to be snaffled up quickly.”

The festival is famous for its inventive stallholders who each year, come up with fresh new recipes as they try to outdo each other to gain the coveted title of Best Dish.”

Just to get you salivating, some dishes this year includes scallop and bacon fritters, scallops sautéed in garlic butter and white wine, and tempura scallops with dill, lime and coriander dipping sauce.

Returning this year will be chef extraordinaire and Masterchef Judge Ray McVinnie who will be joined by 2014 Masterchef winners Karena and Kasey Bird.

Also making a comeback is ‘The Great Scallop Cook Off' where the chefs from Salt Restaurant and Motu Kitchen will battle it out on stage for the best Scallop dish honours.

Along with top quality food there will be plenty of entertainment on offer which includes the Classic Photo Booth and the festival's Best Dressed competition.

Mills Reef Winery is once again the festival's official wine partner and this year Japanese brewery Asahi will be the official beer at the festival.

'For the first time ever people can immortalise their memories of the Whitianga Scallop Festival with a take home photo strip, people can also upload them directly from the festival.

'The Best Dressed competition been gathering momentum in the last few years and we've got some great prizes up for grabs.”

Linda was confirmed as the festival's new coordinator back in February and previously worked with Sky television in an event and production management role.

'I needed a new challenge and the Whitianga Scallop Festival is absolutely perfect, have my dream job,” says Linda. 'I get to live in paradise and promote what's on offer in this beautiful community.

'Making it even better, there's a great bunch of people on the festival committee who are really passionate about what they do. This year is shaping up to be one of the best festivals ever.”

General Admission Tickets to the Whitianga Scallop Festival cost $45 + booking fee and can be purchased via the festival's website at: www.scallopfestival.co.nz

Festival goers can also avoid booking fees by purchasing their tickets through The Lost Spring Shop, 47 Albert St, Whitianga.

Check out highlight's from the 2014 Whitianga Scallop Festival below: