The Feed | The New Zealand Food News You Need To Know

It's that time of the week again. Get ready to feast your eyes on all the hottest food news from around Aotearoa. We’ve got the inside scoop on all the latest and greatest openings, collabs, events, products and more so you can spend less time researching and more time munching (because priorities, people).

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Head Uptown For This Neighbourhood Food Festival

Image credit: Uptown Bites | Supplied (Blink @blinkboys)

Uptown in Tāmaki Makaurau is debuting their first food festival, Uptown Bites. Restaurants, cafes and bars at the top of Grafton, Newton and Eden Terrace are coming together with food deals, free tastings and workshops for two weeks (Monday 3rd November to Sunday 16th November). Learn how to make chicken larb (meat salad) and Luang Prabang salad (a.k.a. Laos salad) at Puen Eatery & Bar, and serve it in your very own ceramic plate made at Eden Ceramics’ workshop. Say cheers with a champagne tasting at Normanby Fine Wines, followed by crayfish from Lillius (served with beautiful greens from local community garden O.M.G. Organic Market Garden). Master the art of coffee with Altezano Brothers and De’Longhi, then watch the team at Sabato demo risotto and paella at their free tasting. Don’t forget to get tickets to A Taste of Dalmatia, where the Dalmatian Cultural Society are putting up an epic buffet spread for two nights—complete with octopus salad, sarma (Croatian cabbage rolls), pršule (fried dougnuts) and palačinke (crepes), to name a few. Check out the full line-up here.

Get Your Mid-Week Dim Sum With An Epic Line-Up Of Natural Wines

Image credit: Hello Beasty | Vicki Young

If you haven’t been to Hello Beasty, consider this your sign to go. With three of their favourite winemakers from Te Matau-a-Māui Hawkes Bay and the Wairarapa in the house (Amy from Amoise Wines, Jannine from Huntress Wines and Dave from Kenzie Wine) and on the pours, plus à la carte dim sum-style menu (plus a couple of new dishes)—expect delicious drops by the glass (or flight) with some flavoursome snacks. If it’s anything to go by with their existing menu (hello chilli-crisp lacy potstickers, that prawn and crab toast, and those charcoal-kissed tiger prawns), there’s no doubt you’ll be in for an absolute treat of a feast. One night only, this Wednesday 5th November. Get your tickets here. 

Master Festive Entertaining For A Good Cause At The Woolies Christmas Table

Image credit: Woolworths NZ | Supplied

Woolworths NZ Annual Christmas Table is back—three nights of good food, great banter and giving back for a good cause at Space on Crummer in Tāmaki Makaurau this year (Thursday 6th to Saturday 8th November). For those looking for some Xmas inspo, get your tickets to a fun night hosted by Woolworths NZ and with multi-talented Kiwi celeb journalist (plus podcast host, producer, author and speaker) Brodie Kane and mama Jo Kane. Along with Chef Rob Hooper, they’ll be dishing up locally-sourced Kiwi feasts, plus chef will be teaching the art of pav decorating and carving that glazed Xmas ham tableside. Bring your Christmas cheer early for this table of laughs, festive cocktails and mocktails, and three course feasting with cracking sides like the Kane family’s winner potato salad. Book your seat at the table, stat (Friday’s sold out already). All ticket sales support The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal.

This Pōneke Brunch Spot Is Opening Nights With Pasta And More

Image credit: Volco | Instagram

I’ve been chatting to the Volco crew the past few months and it’s been a long time coming with all their hard work behind the scenes—they’re now bringing their dinner-time offerings at their newest Volco spot on Egmont from Thursday 6th November. From brunch to dinner, Volco on Egmont is going to be popping off on the laneway. We’re eyeing up pig’s head and guanciale croquettes, lamb and bone marrow pappardelle and lip-smacking eggplant with olio santo (literally meaning holy oil, a.k.a. that vibrant red, Italian-style chilli oil).  

UK’s Rochelle Canteen Is Coming To Ōtautahi For A Special Kitchen Takeover 

Image credit: Gatherings. | Instagram 

Chef Hector Henderson from UK’s Rochelle Canteen will be taking over the pots and pans at Gatherings, this Wednesday 5th to Sunday 9th November. To those unfamiliar with the name, Rochelle Canteen opened in 2004 from Pōneke-raised Kiwi chef Margot Henderson OBE. Along with chef husband, nose-to-tail pioneer Fergus Henderson (St. John)—we’re talking absolute culinary legends in the UK dining scene. Their son Hector is the Head Chef at Rochelle Canteen, continuing the culinary legacy—and bringing his brilliant cooking style to Aotearoa (as part of his world cooking tour). Cooking alongside long-time friend Alex Davies at Gatherings who are hosting the pop-up, we advise you come hungry and ready for some of the best modern British cookery.

Have Your Matcha In Affogato Form With This Limited Edition Locals Collab

Image credit: Nomu Matcha x Little ‘Lato | Supplied

Waikato/Bay of Plenty’s own Nomu Matcha are bringing their on-the-go ceremonial grade matcha sachets with Little ‘Lato this Thursday 6th and Friday 7th November, in the form of a vanilla bean (regular or dairy-free available) scoop and Nomu ceremonial-grade matcha pour-over. Plus it comes with a cute 2g sachet for a matcha-dust garnish (or you can save it for later). Head to Little ‘Lato Ponsonby or Hamilton East for this limited edition drop.

Drink Bubbles In The Sun With Live Classical Music And Fresh Kaimoana This Weekend

Image credit: Bon Pinard | Supplied (Photography by Alex McVinnie @alexmcv)

Bon Pinard is celebrating the start of summer with their neighbourhood Sunday session series and this Sunday we’re talking Aotearoa bubbles and live classical covers of modern songs in the sun from The Black Quartet. Marlborough’s Hunter’s Wines are debuting their méthode traditionelle MiruMiru™ (meaning “bubbles” in te reo Māori), with a special menu created by Chef Jordan MacDonald. Hunter’s chief winemaker James Macdonald will be pouring bubbles this Sunday alongside Marlborough oysters with MiruMiru™ mignonette, juicy Mills Bay mussel escabeche and classic steak frites with Hunter’s pinot noir jus. Head over the bridge and towards the sunshine from 1-8pm this Sunday 9th November. 

Head To This Intimate Supper Club To Support Girls In Film Aotearoa 

Image credit: Girls In Film Aotearoa | Supplied (Photography by Anna Brajkovich)

Girls in Film Aotearoa is a Tāmaki Makaurau-based community supporting a new generation of female, non-binary and trans filmmakers in Aotearoa, and part of the global Girls in Film initiative—supporting and showcasing work of female filmmakers from all over the world. Their next event is a supper club at Open on Karangahape Road, featuring a specially-curated family-style dinner made by yours truly, Chef Vicki. Get your tickets here. 

Head To The Wairarapa For A Boutique Festival Celebrating Wine, Gin, Local Eats and Big Tunes

Image credit: Huntress Wines | Instagram (Bonny Beattie @bonny.beattie)

Taste of Wairarapa kicks off this Friday 31st October for just over two weeks, until Sunday 16th November. With local wine and food events across the region (and a splash of gin—we’re looking at the Margrain Three Sisters Gin event, with acoustic jazz duo Scarlet), there’s a series of meet-the-maker events, oysters and pet nat with Huntress Wines at Metita, blend your own Pinot masterclass, Moy Hall’s spring lamb and Pinot Noir dego, plus tunes from soulful powerhouse Hollie Smith. Along with Sweet Mix Kids, The Beat Girls, DJ Takas and friends at The Runholder, they’ll be bringing smooth tunes against the rolling hills of Martinborough vines on the last weekend of the festival. Check out the full line-up here. 

Hercules Noble’s Viral Sourdough Has Just Landed At Deli Di Bossi

Image Credit: Bossi x Hercules Noble | Supplied

In huge news for sandwich lovers, the King of Sourdough himself, Hercules Noble, has teamed up with Deli di Bossi for a one-week-only collab just in time for World Sandwich Day (Monday 3 November). For the first time ever, you can actually buy Hercules’ cult-favourite sourdough—and it’s taking form as the Carbonara Pane Fritto, created alongside Bossi Executive Chef Shaun Dowling.

Inspired by Rome’s iconic carbonara, the toastie features a thick slice of Hercules’ viral Carbonara Sourdough (yes, the one that hit 5M+ TikTok views), egg-washed and fried to golden perfection, then topped with mascarpone, pecorino and ricotta cream, crispy guanciale and a drizzle of maple syrup.

The limited-edition sando is available Monday 3 November to Saturday 8 November at Deli di Bossi for $22 a serve or $16 for a whole Carbonara Sourdough loaf. Hercules will even be there in person for the World Sandwich Day launch, Monday only from 10am–2pm. This marks the first time his viral sourdough will ever be sold, so if you want a taste, move fast; we're expecting it to sell out daily.—Maisie Gray

Aotearoa’s Christmas Pie Champ Has Been Announced 

Image credit: Baking NZ | Supplied

Last month, Baking NZ held The Great New Zealand Xmas Mince Pie competition at Daily Bread in Britomart, Tāmaki Makaurau—where myself (as a baker and patisserie-trained chef) along with expert baking judges Graham Heaven and Matt Havill, we blind-tasted our way through countless Christmas fruit mince pies from all over Aotearoa ahead of the silly season. We had the difficult task of judging each one based on appearance, pastry quality, filling, aroma and flavour, as well as technical skill. From boozy brandy-soaked fruit, almond pastry, to yuzu-peel additions—there were so many different takes on the Christmas classic. With friendly competition and an engraved silver trophy with all the Christmas rep at stake, Madeleine Colombie from Paneton Bakery in Tāmaki Makaurau took out the winning spot for the 2025 championship. Mike Kloeg from Clareville Bakery in the Wairarapa came in second, and third place went to Canterbury’s Franz Lieber from Fairlie Bakehouse. Mad respect for all the bakers across the motu as they gear up for the silly season ahead.

Head To This High Tea For Their Famous Dessert Trolley And Mozzarella Cheesecake

Image credit: Esther | Vicki Young

If you haven’t experienced Esther’s exquisite High Tea, this is your sign to do so. They roll over the sweet menu via a beautiful trolley of sweet treats piled high—complete with their signature chocolate choux swans and a big tableside scoop of Sean’s orange-scented tiramisu. Their savoury offerings are just as drool-worthy, with Mediterranean flavours (I’m here for all the pops of Ortiz anchovies on toast with salsa verde). Plus, you’d be rude not to go bottomless (with a free-flowing prosecco in each hand) for an extra $20. Book online and don’t miss out—their sweet creations are always executed with such technical skill and finesse (re last season’s lemon-shaped dessert, pictured, that had me fooled)—we hear there’s a buffalo mozz cheesecake on the latest menu that looks just like the real deal. High tea starts at $79 per person (or $99 for bottomless).

Prepare To Get Served At SkyCity

Image credit: SERVED SkyCity | Supplied

In case you missed it, SkyCity’s culinary series SERVED is making a grand return, bringing global flavours and exclusive culinary events to some of Auckland’s most celebrated restaurants. Think Pacific-inspired plates at Michael Meredith’s Metita, Diwali feasts at Sid Sahrawat’s Cassia, and the best of Aotearoa at The Grill. And that’s just the start—there’s also Japanese creations at MASU by Nic Watt, traditional Chinese at Huami, sky-high cocktails at SkyBar,  and NYC style chopped cheese sandos at Al Brown's Fed Deli. Basically, you’re about to embark on a round-the-world dining trip without leaving the city. Visit here for the full line-up and start plotting your next feast—because this is one culinary passport you’ll definitely want stamped. —Maisie Gray

Hungry for more? Check out the hottest new openings you need to know about here. 

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Main Image Credit: Woolworths NZ | Supplied