All posts filed under: Festival

Taste of Auckland 19

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HEADS UP FOODIES… TASTE OF AUCKLAND IS HERE!!! November is the most exciting month of the year, for three reasons: 1. It is my birthday month; 2. It is starting to feel like summer; and 3. Taste of Auckland has arrived – woohoo! On Thursday night, I attended my sixth Taste of Auckland, including the VIP Opening, where Taste presented the ‘Best in Taste Awards’, judged by MARCO PIERRE WHITE (and daughter), Tony Stewart (Clooney), Chand Sahrawat (Sid at The French Cafe/Cassia) and Amanda Linnell (VIVA). The winning dish was the Beetroot Taco Pao with Pulled Sticky Pork Belly, Pickled Carrot and Crispy Shallots by Nanam. Jessabel Granada / Executive Chef at Nanam Plus, a new award this year – ‘People’s Choice Award’ – judged by Nicole O’Brien, who won a VIVA competition to become the judge! Her top pick was the “Miann Hot Dog” with Chocolate Parfait, Eclair, Passionfruit and Raspberry by Miann. Read more below to see a picture! Held over four days (31 October – 3 November), Taste of Auckland is ideal for those who love food, cooking and everything in between. In other words, it is …

Taste of Auckland 18

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HEADS UP FOODIES… TASTE OF AUCKLAND IS HERE!!! November is the most exciting month of the year, for three reasons: 1. It is my birthday month; 2. It is starting to feel like summer; and 3. Taste of Auckland has arrived – woohoo! 2018 is a big year for Taste of Auckland presented by Electrolux as they are celebrating 10 years! This iconic food festival has helped launch brands, watch restaurants come and go, and of course, provide the public with an amazing event each year.  Taste is also being held in a brand new location – occupying the entire space of Queen’s Wharf on the waterfront! I am in love with the new seaside location, as it is more spacious, and easier to get to. You could drive, but why not walk down from work or take public transport if you can?!  On Thursday night, I attended my fifth Taste of Auckland, including the VIP Opening, where Taste presented the ‘Best in Taste Awards’, judged by Chand Sahrawat, Lachlan Colwill and Amanda Linnell. The winning dish was Xoong’s Ruakaka Kingfish Tartare. …

Taste of Auckland 17

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HEADS UP FOODIES… TASTE OF AUCKLAND IS HERE!!!

I am always incredibly excited when November rolls around, for three reasons:

1. It is my birthday month;
2. It is starting to feel like summer; and
3. Taste of Auckland has arrived – an event I look forward to every year!

Go Green Expo + Better Food Fair

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Today I attended the Go Green Expo, which is New Zealand’s largest sustainable lifestyle show, held at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland. The show covers everything related to organics, eco home and living, beauty, health and wellness, and of course, your chance to try delicious healthy food and beverage products. I have been going for the last few years and it is always a fun day out! This year also saw the new addition of the Better Food Fair with stalls selling street food and drinks from organic, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and raw vendors. I tried dishes from Judge Bao, House of Dumplings, Soul Boul and Nitro Cow. Along with sampling food related products and trying yummy dishes, the Go Green Expo and Better Food Fair are also holding seminars and workshops. Workshops and seminars that sound interesting on Sunday are the Plant-Based Everyday Workshop with Buffy Ellen of Be Good Organics (tickets here, includes a 90 minute workshop, goodie bags and three recipe demonstrations), La Boca Loca – ‘Making free tortillas at home’ seminar (included in your ticket) …

ArtWeek Auckland

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The past ten days have been great. And it is all thanks to ArtWeek Auckland, an annual festival held in October which showcases art in many forms, and organises various art events around Auckland. I went on a street art walking tour, checked out a few galleries, and of course, ate some delicious food! There were many artworks displayed around the city, there were guided art walking and cycle tours held on Karangahape Road, Parnell and Newmarket to name a few, there were light installations, free gallery exhibitions, sculptures, food and artist collaborations, and my particular favourite, Late Night Art, where for one night only, galleries and art installations come alive after dark. It is one of my favourite non-foodie events of the year… having said that, this year saw the new edition of streetARTdego, where art meets food. It was definitely a highlight! Check out my photo diary below of my highlights at ArtWeek:   Street Art Tour with Jonny 4Higher One of the best Saturdays I have had this year✌🏼️ Thanks to Artweek and one of New Zealand’s most experienced street …

ASB Auckland Seafood Festival

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Living in New Zealand, we are blessed to have beautiful seafood right at our doorstep. Oysters, scallops, kina, crayfish, mussels, scampi, salmon, tarakihi, eel… the list goes on! And this weekend (Auckland Anniversary), you can taste all your favourite seafood dishes, sample products, attend cooking demonstrations, and relax in the sunshine all at the ASB Auckland Seafood Festival (check out the view from the festival above!). Thanks to Zomato, I attended the Seafood Festival today and had a great time! The sun was shining, the crowds were brimming (which I don’t mind as I love to people watch) and the seafood was abundant. Check out my sea-foodie highlights below: Clevedon Coast Oysters – 5/5 Clevedon Oysters – Half Shell Natural (6 for $10) I have to admit, for a very long time, I wouldn’t go near an oyster. But after finally taking the plunge and trying them at Depot last year, I have never looked back! They are truly perfect in every way, plus they have many health benefits! Oysters were definitely at the top of my list for …

Taste of Auckland 15

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Today, I attended my second Taste of Auckland. I was so incredibly excited as it really is ultimate foodie heaven! Held over four days, Taste showcases some of the best restaurants in Auckland. Each restaurant offers 2-4 dishes, costing between $8-$20. Like last year, I made a beeline for Depot, because their oysters and tuatuas (clams) are top notch. I also tried a wood fired margherita pizza from Farina (again, amazing) and rice paper rolls with shredded pork and prawn from Vietnam based restaurant, Koto (which were fresh, light and perfect on this hot spring day). But, the best part about Taste of Auckland is definitely sampling all of the foodie products! Below is a list of my favourites from today: – Jenny’s Kitchen Tamarind Chutney were selling their delicious chutneys, and we bought a jar each of their mild and extra hot versions. They both tasted amazing! – The Baron, where I purchased their sweet and salty nuts (great for Christmas stocking fillers!) and an edible chocolate moustache – yummy! – Delonghi Group, showcasing their coffee machines and other kitchen appliances and Moustache making delicious cookies, including a marmite and cheese combination! …