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
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.
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 ...
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” – ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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? ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 – ...
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. ...
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 ...
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