Mini lemon thyme polenta cakes
From the baking book called You Had Me At Cake by Emelia Jackson, these little cakes are a riff on the classic pound cake – a pound of this, a pound of that – which is why you’ll find very rounded amounts in the ingredients list. Emelia says she used lemon thyme to […]
Classy & cosy: The Rabbit
Café by day and cocktail bar by night, Ashburton is the place for delicious eats and magical nights. As the cooler climes of autumn turn temperatures down, Ashburton’s dining hotspot The Rabbit is turning up the heat. In its accessible midtown location, the cocktail and dessert bar’s warmth and comfort will be a […]
That takes the cake
Wedding cakes in Canterbury are no longer just dessert; they’re edible personality statements, with couples choosing designs and flavours that reflect their history, quirks, and shared obsessions. Here are some of the main trends this year on the wedding cake scene… A walk in the garden: Nature-inspired cakes are everywhere, decorated with wildflowers, […]
The Bellbird journey: Bellbird Bakery
From baking sourdough bread in a backyard oven to operating three stores across Christchurch, one local baker has transformed Canterbury’s sourdough scene. Bellbird Bakery started in 2010, when owner Jeremy MacCormack baked sourdough bread and French viennoiserie in his homemade backyard oven, first bartering loaves with neighbours, then setting up a stall at […]
5 trending cake flavours: Halswell Bakery
What’s a cake flavour your wedding guests are sure to love? Family-owned and locally-loved, Halswell Bakery knows just how crucial your wedding cake is, from flavour to finish. Years of experience honing her cake-making craft, owner Ruth Buckley and her team combine skill with culinary flair for the one of your dreams. From […]
High time for high tea: The Store @ Tai Tapu
From fluffy scones to a legendary passionfruit slice, this Tai Tapu café’s handcrafted high teas are one of Canterbury’s most sought-after indulgences. The high tea experience at The Store @ Tai Tapu has quietly become one of Canterbury’s most popular treats.Since current owners Lesley and Peter Edwards, took over the beloved country café […]
Time to par-tee: X-Golf
Pair state-of-the-art golf simulators with free-flowing food and drink and you’ve got yourself the perfect par-tee. Got a stag or hen’s do on the horizon? X-Golf is your go-to. Both locations in Parklands and Avonhead serve up the best games, courses and mini challenges alongside a menu full of pub classics in a […]
Storm brewing: Coffee Worx
If the price of your daily flat white has you wincing, you’re not alone, but your local roasters are doing their best to keep things affordable. Coffee prices are climbing across New Zealand, and it might be tempting to blame coffee roasters for the rising cost of your favourite coffee. But Coffee Worx […]
Chinese fire water: Taizi
In China, a colourless liquor called baijiu outsells whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, and tequila combined, and now it’s being made here in Christchurch. It’s the most popular alcoholic drink you’ve probably never heard of. Known as Chinese fire water, baijiu is a colourless liquor usually distilled in China from fermented sorghum and wheat. […]
Mixed berry & rhubarb pie
Serve up elegance this Easter. A lighter pie filled to the brim with juicy tart berries and rhubarb, it’s perfect for an Easter tea table or as a dessert topped with ice cream. INGREDIENTS | Serves 6-8 Pastry • 1 1/3 cups plain flour • 1/3 cup icing sugar • 125g salted butter, […]













