What is clean eating: taking a look at the basic nutritional principles behind the trend
Global empires have been built on the premise. Instagram influencers are courting the attention and affection of millions with their disciplined adherence to its principles. There are books, blogs and food bags dedicated to the cause. In short, cleaning is a food frenzy: but what, exactly, is it? At its heart, it is […]
Winter eats: get inspired to eat healthy this winter
Conventional wisdom has it that in lieu of thermals and scarves, the cooler temperatures trigger a biological change that make animals inclined to eat higher quantities of energy-dense food to keep warm. And, although we humans may not put on our own winter coats in this evolutionary sense, fact is cooler temperatures, fewer […]
A beautiful butchery: The Butcher’s Mistress is the darling of Rangiora
Beautiful and sophisticated may not be the words you would associate with your local butcher, but then there are few similarities between The Butcher’s Mistress and most others of its kind. Halena Hitchcock opened the doors of the store in Rangiora’s High Street in October last year and, although the physical store is […]
Sweet taste of summer: have your very own gelato truck at your wedding with Gelato Roma
A summer wedding and gelato, who could ask for more? Gelato Roma Mobile brings award-winning gelato and sorbet to your city or country wedding in a picturesque trailer, which features clean lines and more than a hint of Italian style. Owners and ‘Gelatologists’ Margaret Parisi and Blair Poland say their sorbets and gelatos, […]
Spectacular show-stoppers: Sally Holt makes gasp worthy wedding cakes
No stranger to elaborate cakes, Sally Holt was a founding member of the Canterbury Cake Decorators Guild and the NZ Cake Decorators Guild. Her most memorable was a 17kg, half metre-tall wedding cake, made for a world champion ballroom dancing couple. “Back in the day wedding cakes were three-tier fruit cakes with lacework […]
A feijoa fixation: nine ideas for what to do with all those feijoas
There’s great excitement in the autumnal air, with feijoa season upon us. Generally available from about mid-March until early June, the small, green, egg-shaped fruit is pretty unique to New Zealand – although not native. A distinctive flavour and culinary versatility sees feijoa making their mark on an exceptional range of cakes, salsas, […]
Personality on a plate: Fiona’s Food provides more than just great food for your wedding
Fiona’s Food is personality on a plate – a delicious affordable catering option for any wedding. For 11 years, Fiona van der Pol has run a boutique catering business. Her only qualification: bringing up four children! Cooking from the heart, she’s super-efficient, enlisting daughter Flossie when needed. Freshly made, nothing’s from the freezer. […]
Beautiful bridal baking: if you’re planning your wedding catering then talking to Halswell Bakery is a must
Halswell Bakery could be ‘The Wedding Bakery’, with its comprehensive approach to fresh, bespoke and competitively priced cakes and delicious delights for every step of your journey to the altar. “We make everything at the bakery, so every detail can be specific to you and your wedding theme,” owner Ruth Buckley says. Cakes […]
Braised beef cheeks in red wine: The Villas recipe series
When cooked slowly, beef cheeks are delicious paired with chunky, forked potato mash or with silky, smooth polenta. Look out for The Villas’ take on this delicious dish on its new dinner menu. Ingredients 4 beef cheeks 3 tbs seasoned flour 2 stalks celery, 1 carrot, 1 onion, all finely diced 3 cloves […]
Tea-totaller: the re-emergence of the cuppa as a drink of choice
New Zealand once led the world in cups of tea consumed per person. So it seems somewhat strange to have to put one’s hat in the ring to defend the humble cuppa. But despite the seemingly all-encompassing nature of the Kiwi coffee culture, tea drinking is on the rise. And not just in […]
