Huge oaty chocolate chunk style cookies: Everyday Favourites

Courtesy of Everyday Favourites Ready in 50 minutes Makes 24 large cookies Ingredients: 300g softened butter 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup caster sugar 2 eggs 2 tsp vanilla essence 3 cups plain flour 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp baking soda 1/4 cup milk 1 cup rolled oats 200g chocolate, coarsely chopped […]

Sophisticated dining: Eliza’s Manor

Sitting down to enjoy delicious cuisine in a luxurious setting makes for a memorable experience that you will think about for many days to come. When you walk through the door of Eliza’s Manor, you’re transported back through the decades. Perfectly blending the unique atmosphere of a bygone era, with a sophisticated and […]

Ode to oysters

New Zealand’s fresh Bluff oyster season is well and truly over, however diehards can still find the occasional fix of this succulent and slightly salty delicacy in fish shops, some restaurants, and also at their local chippie. Of course, while they may be Bluff oysters, they’ll be frozen not fresh, until next year’s […]

Five ways to eat oysters

People either love them or hate them, but oysters remain a prized delicacy. A versatile shellfish, they can be eaten raw or cooked, the later including fried, baked, steamed, or stewed. Some people like to swallow the oyster whole, while others prefer to chew them to savour the full flavour. Most Kiwis prefer […]

Planning for Christmas: Quality Hotel Elms

Our work tribe holds an integral place in our lives. An Ernst and Young survey found that one third of people get their greatest sense of belonging at work, second only to their own home. Joining together for celebrations plays an important role in promoting harmony, and the ‘Christmas do’ is the big […]

Creative cooking: Riverside Kitchen

If you are looking to entertain work colleagues or clients in the lead up to Christmas, why not step away from the usual options and treat them to a fun, interactive and memorable cooking event at Riverside Kitchen. The Riverside team offers great options for large groups that will have everyone cooking and […]

High tea: Penny Black Victorian Tearooms

If there is one way to celebrate in style that suits everyone from age two to 102, it’s a High Tea. Tiers of gorgeous sandwiches, baked treats both savoury and sweet, all beautifully presented and served. To drink is the finest tea, coffee, or a glass of party time prosecco, juice, or soft […]

Dining on vitamin sea: Beach Bar

Ten out of 10 to the clever unknown who once quipped: “Beach more, worry less”. Never were there four more truer words. Gazing at the sea is the healthiest waste of time. How lucky we are, then, to have 20 minutes from our central city, possibly one of the only bar and restaurants […]

Sticky lemon chicken

Courtesy of Everyday Favourites Ingredients 600g boneless chicken thighs or breasts 1/2 cup cornflour 1 egg 1/2 cup chicken stock 1/3 cup lemon juice 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 Tbsp brown sugar 2 Tbsp honey 2 tsp crushed garlic 2 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 Tbsp cornflour mixed with 1/4 cup cold water 1 […]

Delicious Greek food and fine wines: The Athens Yacht Club

Greek philosopher Epicurus said: “We should look for someone to eat and drink with, before looking for something to eat and drink.” Epicurus, born 341 BC, in Greece, knew a thing or two about eating, espousing the ethical philosophy of simple pleasure, friendship, and retirement, and founding his own epicurean school of philosophy. […]