Hāngi time
June is a month for hāngi as we celebrate Matariki, says Angela Clifford of The Food Farm in North Canterbury. Many schools and organisations are embracing hāngi as we start to celebrate Matariki. A Māori method of cooking food, hāngi uses heated rocks buried in the ground. Despite being an Australian, my husband […]
Mānuka Lemon Glow cocktail
Ideal for stargazing nights, celebrate Matariki with a warming winter cocktail that captures the earthy sweetness of Aotearoa native ingredients. Ingredients 50ml whisky (local brands include Whisky Galore, Herrick Creek, and Divergence) 20ml fresh lemon juice 15ml Mānuka honey syrup (equal parts honey and hot water mixed until smooth) Lemon wheel or fresh […]
Win it! High Tea table for four: Crowne Plaza Christchurch
Mark a special occasion, treat yourself to divine dining, or embrace a moment of luxury, here’s how to win the ultimate High Tea table for four. Draped in crisp white tablecloths, elevated by gleaming gold-tiered stands… high tea at Crowne Plaza Christchurch invites guests to slow down and delight in the details. With […]
Ashburton welcome: Formosa
One family-run eatery in Ashburton offers comforting soul food and sharing-style Asian dishes to bring people together. Dining out should delight the senses every time. When we gather together over something to eat, we want to feel joyful and uplifted, but also relaxed and a bit spoilt. Ashburton is home to a restaurant […]
Japanese comfort food: Tanoshi
A hot, hearty bowl of ramen – umami flavour, rich broth and all – is the ultimate winter meal. Warm up from the inside out with Tanoshi’s winter menu, a restaurant borne from the traditions of authentic Japanese cuisine and infused with modern convenience. Famous for their build-your-own ramen, your bowl of goodness […]
Fond of Fondue
The 1970s Swiss dinner party favourite is making a comeback. Metropol writer Lucy Brewer investigates. Sometimes, being really cheesy is a good thing. Fondue is one of those times. Originating in 18th-century Switzerland, when peasants melted ageing cheeses with wine to stretch resources through winter, this classic sharing dish was a staple at […]
70 years of community: Hornby Club
For seven decades, this club has been the hub for community in Hornby. Hornby Club has turned 70, marking seven decades of bringing people together and serving the community at the heart of Christchurch’s southwest since opening its doors in 1956. Once a small township on the edge of Christchurch, Hornby has become […]
Beef & beetroot sausage rolls
These sausage rolls couldn’t be much simpler to make and are fantastic with the horseradish cream, says Canterbury pastry and pie maker Wendy Morgan. Her new book, entitled Easy as Pie, is out now. Makes 28 Ingredients • 1 quantity Rough Puff Pastry (see recipe opposite) • 250g beef mince • 250g beef […]
Impossibly easy custard pie
Could this be the easy-peasiest dessert pie you’ve ever made? Give it a try and let us know. An old-fashioned recipe that has been around for a long time, this creamy custard pie is called impossibly easy pie because it takes just four ingredients. Just blend the ingredients and pour into a pie […]
Club hub: Papanui Club
Membership growth and facility expansion are two clear markers of success at this stalwart in the Papanui social scene. “Every improvement, event and investment is made with the goal of creating a stronger, more vibrant place for people to enjoy,” says general manager Mark Belton at the ever-popular Papanui Club. Their success lies […]













