Food & Drink

If you’ve got a passion for fine food and wine then you’re in for a treat. New Zealand cuisine is guaranteed to satisfy. With the country being a leading agricultural nation that busily goes about turning some of the best produce anywhere in the world out every day, local chefs, restaurateurs and artisan food producers are able to make the most of the bounty on their doorstep and draw on a wide variety of influences to create an outstanding national food scene. Make sure you sample New Zealand specialities such as outstanding seafood, beef and lamb, dairy, and beautiful fresh produce, whether it’s via an excellent dining experience at one of the country’s many outstanding restaurants, or straight from the source at the farm gate or farmers’ market.

 

Food & Drink | People

Fire starters

US-style low-and-slow, Argentinian asado, South Africa’s braai – all variations on the theme of meat cooked over a fire. As we head into the ...

 

Food & Drink

Spirit of the land

It’s not eye of newt and toe of frog but some very magical ingredients go into Elsewhere Gin’s range. Forager-in-chief Mark Rose gathers the ...

 

Food & Drink

84 Hats awarded in 2023 Cuisine Good Food Awards

The Cuisine Good Food Awards has announced 18 category winners and 84 Hatted restaurants for 2023. Those restaurants that took home “hats” – ...

 

Food & Drink

Trio of excuses to check out The George’s new look

After six weeks with the renovators in, the wraps come off the new look at Christchurch's The George and 50 Bistro on Friday 4 August. And three ...

 

Food & Drink

Record entries for top toasted sammy search

The battle is back on for the nation’s top toasted sandwich and this year’s Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover has a record number of entrants, ...

 

Food & Drink | People

Having your cake and eating it too

Muso and food entrepreneur Flip Grater is on a mission to popularise plant-based goodies so you can have your pleasures without having to ...

 

Food & Drink | Word on the street

The Great Toastie Takeover 2022: Finalists announced

There's a scent in the air... the sweet scent of toasted cheese on bread. That's right, it's Toastie Takeover time again, and the 13 national ...

 

Destinations | South Island | Food & Drink | See & Do | Word on the street

Christchurch's Hi-Fi listening bar Monarch, and its parent King of Snake

Monarch is a sensory experience that feels like it belongs in New York, Tokyo, or London. Something special for the audiophiles among us who ...

 

Food & Drink | People | Word on the street

Want a little NFT with your gin? The new Kiwi gin that's doing things differently - on the blockchain

Luke Dawkins and Blue Hamel are bringing gin into the 21st Century with their new physical and digital NFT project. What's Hot New Zealand hits ...

 

NZ Info | Food & Drink

Must-visit small town cafés around New Zealand

Road trippin’? We’ve got the coolest, quirkiest little places to stop at for a decent cup of coffee with friendly service and a pretty outlook. ...

 

Food & Drink | What's On | Word on the street

Ripe festival to host a virtual wine tasting event

Ripe: The Wānaka Wine & Food Festival is delivering good news to wine lovers everywhere – we can still take part in ...

 

Food & Drink | Word on the street

Cuisine Good Food Awards 2022: The best of New Zealand's dining scene

New Zealand, your ultimate dining bible for 2022 is officially here: The results of the Cuisine Good Food Awards are in, and it's a serious wish ...

 

Food & Drink | What's On

The Feelers to headline South Island Wine & Food Festival

The South Island Wine & Food Festival is back in Christchurch this December, with a lineup of Kiwi artists that will be as much of a treat ...

 

Food & Drink

What's in a vegan butter chicken? Well, not butter, or chicken...

Vegans rejoice, another epic plant-based meal is joining the lineup at Coriander's Ethnic Indian Restaurant in Christchurch. Yes, it's true, ...

 

Food & Drink | People

Whiskey us away: Kiwi Spirits Distillery founder Terry Knight on a uniquely Kiwi whiskey

The Kiwi Spirit Distillery is distilling spirits made with Kiwi spirit. What's Hot New Zealand talks to Kiwi Spirit’s founder and head distiller ...

 

Food & Drink | Word on the street

GIMME: Delivering the goods

Christchurch startup GIMME is taking on the big shots of the online food ordering world. Co-founder Abhay Pratap delivers the low-down. Big ...

 

Food & Drink | What's On

Master of Wine Emma Jenkins talks about her upcoming appearance at Winetopia

Master of Wine Emma Jenkins is presenting at Winetopia this winter, and she sat down with What's Hot New Zealand to talk grapes, wine regions ...

 

Food & Drink | What's On

Master of Wine Bob Campbell on his favourite drops and upcoming wine festival Winetopia

Before sharing his expertise at Winetopia in July, Master of Wine Bob Campbell sat down with What's Hot New Zealand to talk favourite fizz, top ...

 

Food & Drink

Hunting the best toastie in New Zealand: The Great NZ Toastie Takeover

The Great NZ Toastie Takeover judges are deliberating on which cafés, restaurants, bars and eateries are behind Aoteatora's best toasties. In ...

 

Food & Drink | People | Word on the street

Pegasus Bay celebrates its 30th vintage of excellent wine

Pegasus Bay Winery, one of the original and definitive Canterbury wineries, released its first wines in 1991. But its story starts in the 1970s ...

 

Food & Drink

New Zealand restaurant highlights

Our national restaurant scene has come leaps and bounds in recent decades, finally doing justice to the fact that some of the best food in the ...

 

Food & Drink | See & Do

New Zealand's Top 5 Bars

There’s not much better than a killer drink and a bangin' venue to drink it in, and we’re pretty spoilt for choice around New Zealand’s main ...

 

Food & Drink

Sake drinking etiquette

What's Hot New Zealand has the answers to all your questions about sake. Say it right It’s pronounced ‘sah-kay’ not ‘sah-key’. What’s in a cup? ...

 

Food & Drink

Tips and tricks for hosting a plant-based dinner party

Here’s a pro tip for your next gathering: rather than worrying about options for your vegan guests, just create a plant-based menu for everyone. ...

 

Food & Drink | Word on the street

New Zealand’s first fruit wine seltzer is on its way

The world’s fastest growing alcoholic beverage is making its way to Aotearoa with the launch of TINK – New Zealand’s first natural fruit wine ...

 

Food & Drink | People

Belle – Back to the beans

Coffee has taken Bink Bowler from barista to managing director and back again, as he steps away from management to once again do what he loves – ...

 

Food & Drink

Unboxing local

Tom Riley and Chris Kappely are at the helm of Green Dinner Table, a plant-based subscription box that brings local produce direct to your door. ...

 

Food & Drink

A brief history of brewing in Christchurch

A unique combination of geography and generosity shaped Christchurch into the craft beer mecca it is today. Ralph Bungard of Three Boys Brewery ...

 

Food & Drink | Word on the street

New rooftop bar in Christchurch: The Pink Lady

Christchurch’s new rooftop bar is giving us an opportunity to escape life’s street-level madness and feel the wind in our hair. On the roof of ...

 

Food & Drink | People

Meet the local: Tom Newfield

Tom Newfield is the brains behind some of Christchurch's best hospo haunts: Welles Street pub, Earl bistro, Welder Events and Bottle + Stone. ...

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