CUISINE NEWS
Cuisine’s News is your daily dose of delicious inspiration. Dive into the latest happenings in the exciting world of food and drink, both locally and globally. Explore a treasure trove of content curated by our culinary experts, featuring in-depth articles, quick bites, industry trends, and recommendations. Fuel your foodie passion with inspiring programs, podcasts, and a peek into Cuisine’s vibrant Instagram feed. Stay informed and keep your finger on the pulse of the culinary world, all at Cuisine’s News.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Design File / Sara Bruce / Exhibit A / Auckland
The contents in a cold glass should be savoured. Having one superb drink is what Sara Bruce (founder of Exhibit A) believes makes alcohol much more special, such as enjoying every last ounce of one amazing martini.
Aotearoa New Zealand’s most influential & inspiring women in food & drink 2025
Cuisine’s pick of the women set to influence our food-and-drink scene in 2025.
Meet the movers and shakers of Food & Drink in Matakana and Surrounds
More than 70 magnificent women joined us on 22 October for a networking session that left us all blown away by how much inspiration and knowledge can be found within a room full of smart and clever women.
We’re Watching… Suraj G C
Mary-Thérèse Blair meets a young sommelier telling the New Zealand wine story at one of Auckland’s five-star hotels.
Traffic January / February 2025
Auckland, On Coates Ave, Ōrākei, Maple & Marble is a new butchery…
Try It… You’ll Like It Issue 227
Say yeah to New Zealand’s first living cola with the refreshing taste…
Spain by World of Mouth
Kenneth Nars taps his network of experts to find the best tastes of…
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EDITORS BITES
Editors Letter
Oysters, caviar, Champagne – yes, of course, but luxury can also be found in a beautiful olive oil, a rich and creamy handmade cheese or a treasured dish that only makes an appearance at this special time of year.
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RESTAURANT REVIEWS
White + Wong’s, Auckland Viaduct
Big and fresh Asian-fusion on the Tāmaki Makaurau waterfront.
11 Woodward Street
Wellington’s newest oldest wine bar builds a food menu around…
Trivet
A vibrant, inclusive all-day bistro that finds a place and a taste…
NEW ZEALAND BITES
- Growing New Zealand’s future viticultural leadersNZ wine industry gears up for the Young Viticulturist of the Year competition season.
- NZ Coffee stylings on the global stageAotearoa NZ Barista Champion of 2023 achieves an impressive fourth place at the World Barista Championships in Busan, South Korea.
- Aotearoa has its first B Corp-certified pet food company.Wigram, New Zealand - Gourmate, a New Zealand-based pet treat manufacturer, announced July 27 it had achieved B Corporation status. According to the company, it is the country’s first B Corp-certified pet food company.
- Wairarapa winemakers predicting ‘magic’ vintage from ideal summerWairarapa winemakers are picking this year’s vintage to be “one of the best ever”, but lower grape volumes may make the much-anticipated wines a rare commodity on the shelves. With harvesting beginning this week in many Martinborough vineyards, hot days and cool nights over summer created ideal ripening conditions to produce grapes packed with flavour.
- New gin distillery is taking the story of Bluff to the world.Do not expect an oyster gin any time soon from Bluff’s new gin distillery.
With a flood of flavours already on the shelves during what has undoubtedly been a gin renaissance, those behind the Bluff Distillery Company did not want to create a gin that was a ``gimmick``. - Draught/on-tap cocktails on the rise in NZNew research has found that draught cocktails and mixed drinks are continuing to grow in popularity amongst New Zealand consumers, with the On Premise supplying to demand. CGA by NIQ’s February New Zealand On Premise Pulse+ Report examines the current landscape of draught/tap cocktails and mixed drinks.
- Christchurch baker dons his apron once again after 10 years teaching othersMichael Johnson was disqualified from his first cake competition at 8 years old, for being too good. “The judges thought my mum had made it. My mum was quite clever and said it was a compliment.”
- Tough year for NZ retailers aheadRetailers are looking at another tough year ahead, with a continuing drop in consumer spending and commercial activity indicated in recent data. Latest numbers from Stats NZ show retail spending using electronic cards fell 1.8 percent in February on the month before, or 2.5 percent up on than the year before.
- New Zealand’s weirdest and wildest food offeringsThe annual Wildfoods Festival took place in Hokitika on Saturday, offering punters the chance to try foods a little more off the beaten track than usual. Senior reporter Anna Leask attended, on a mission to test out the weirdest and wildest offerings.
- Takapuna consumers rate New Zealand’s best Chardonnay’sFirst Glass Wines and Spirits is a lively retailer in Takapuna run by Kingsley Wood. Once a week the store holds comprehensive wine tastings with impressive wines and often with excellent speakers. The store can hold over 100 people for stand-up tastings and typically attracts 70 or more enthusiasts.
- Low prices hurting local tomato growersWhile cheap tomatoes may be good news for shoppers at the checkout, low prices are hurting returns for the country's growers. It has been a bumper crop with good volumes and quality for the country's roughly 120 commercial tomato growers this season.
CUISINE INSTAGRAM
GLOBAL BITES

Woolworths held the title of most trusted brand in Australia for three-and-a-half years – why did it topple from the top spot?
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Meet NY’s fanciest fried chicken, where dinner can cost $50 or $1,500
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The essential pizzerias of New York City
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San Fransisco discovers the wonders of Swedish Hot Dogs
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Bacon made from Seaweed will soon launch in US supermarkets.
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Drone delivery takes flight for quick deliveries of items like meal solutions and over-the-counter medicines.
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WATCH & LISTEN
Cuisine Good Food Awards 2024
Aotearoa’s most exceptional restaurants and leading culinary luminaries have been named and celebrated at our Cuisine Good Food Awards presented by American Express.
Kitchen Conversations Vaughan Mabee
Amisfield Restaurant & Cellar in Central Otago is home to New…
Why New Zealand’s great restaurants deserve your support.
Earlier this year, I caught up with Sid and Chand Sahrawat for a very…
Kitchen Conversations Sid & Chand Sahrawat
The third in our series of very personal kitchen conversations, this…
BOOK REVIEWS
EXPLORE MORE BELOW
Traffic November / December 2024
Trivet at the Marriot is the new all-day bistro offering with a…
Design File / Aggie Lambert / Juni Candles / Hamilton
Take a deep breath, exhale and set aside a few mindful moments to…
Marlborough Wine and Food Festival 2025
Marlborough Wine and Food Festival is back for 2025
Women in Food & Drink Networking
Don’t miss out! Join host Sarah Meikle for a terrific opportunity to…
Cuisine Cheese Watch / Mozzarella – Massimo’s Italian Cheese Co
I am frozen musically somewhere around 1994, very much the mould that…
Arnott’s reveals latest creation batch-baked in NZ innovation hub, batch-baked in NZ
Now available in six mouthwatering flavours, the range also…