Terrific truffles

Truffle season is here and it’s the perfect time to add this delicacy to your culinary efforts. Grated, shaved, in butter, oil and salt, truffles are a versatile luxury fungus. Add them to your scrambled eggs, mashed potato, cheese and pasta. Truffle salt* is really popular with chefs because it is such an […]

Authentic cuisine: The China Kitchen

Fresh, hand-made and delicious all describe one of Christchurch’s long-standing Chinese restaurants. Renowned for its dumplings, The China Kitchen in Papanui has survived earthquakes and latterly the Covid-19 pandemic, and is still going strong in its 21st year. This family-owned restaurant continues to produce the same fresh authentic Chinese food that has delighted […]

Pick me up: The Coffee Workshop

No better pick-me-up exisits than a good cup of coffee. The taste is even better when you know you’re supporting local. From locals, for locals, Christchurch coffee brand The Coffee Workshop creates quality coffee blends roasted in small batches to consistently produce that fresh taste. At their Vinyl Cafe, located on Essex Street, […]

The gin to your tonic: Forth Luck Gin

Daniel Stapleforth is passionate about gin. In fact, he is so passionate about it that, along with three childhood friends, he has set up his own gin distillery. Daniel spent many years working in breweries and distilleries around the world, loving the creation of different beer and spirit flavours. Back in New Zealand, […]

Nothing odd about these treats: Oddfellows Cafe

You, your steaming cup of hot coffee, a pulled pork burger with fresh apple slaw on a brioche bun. Bliss. Renowned for their fresh coffee from the home of the original Hummingbird roastery, Oddfellows Café in Addington also has a huge variety of delicious home-made baked goods (you must try the famous buttermilk […]

Waipara truffle hunt

From June to August in North Canterbury, it is time to go truffle hunting. Dollar for dollar, truffles (aka Black Gold) are one of the most expensive luxury foods you can buy, taking years to cultivate, and only available during a short season. North Canterbury is home to Kings Truffles, where the team, […]

Cellaring wine at home

Wine enthusiasts dream about having their own cellar and often it is easy enough to turn dreams into reality. A home wine cellar may be as simple as a spare hall cupboard, a section of the pantry or the garage, an upcycle sideboard, or as complex as a complete purpose-built room. Before deciding […]

Roasted roots soup

Serves 2 adults + 2-3 children Prep time 15 minutes Cook time 1 hour 10 minutes Ingredients     1kg pumpkin, skin on,seeds removed 500g orange kūmara, peeled 3 carrots, peeled 1 large onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped 2 teaspoons mild curry powder 400g can coconut milk or cream 500ml homemade (or […]

Red, red wine

Sipping a sauvignon takes on a whole new meaning when we’re talking about cabernet sauvignon. Arguably the most widely planted red grape variety, cabernet sauvignon is many people’s first venture into the world of red wine. Why red? Research suggests that drinking an occasional glass of red wine is good for you. It […]

The art of High Tea: The Crowne Plaza

For too long high tea has been dismissed as an ancient, somewhat formal affair but now — just like your mum’s beloved vintage bell bottoms — high tea is chic again. Crowne Plaza has returned to the Christchurch high tea scene with a classic three-tiered offering available every day in it’s expanded 1851 […]