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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Aotearoa’s Christmas Pie Champ Has Been Announced 

Image credit: Baking NZ | Supplied

Baking NZ invited me as one of the judges as part of The Great New Zealand Xmas Mince Pie competition last week at Daily Bread in Britomart, Tāmaki Makaurau—where myself (as a baker and patisserie-trained chef) along with baking legends Graham and Matt, 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.

We Can’t Get Enough Of Dubai-Style Chocolate This Week

Image credit: Lindt & Sprűngli | Supplied

In case you missed it, Lindt have just dropped their latest Dubai Style chocolate on select supermarket shelves as of this week nationwide. With pistachio, nut brittle and crispy Kadayif pastry in milk chocolate, their take on the popular flavour trend (from FIX Dessert Chocolatier’s Sarah Hamouda back in 2021) is now officially in Aotearoa. Having tried this overseas in Asia, I can confirm that this take is absolutely dreamy and will be making a supermarket run this week (you can definitely guarantee it’ll be stocked at Mānawa Bay in Tāmaki Makaurau and at the Queenstown Lindt Shop). 

Ōtautahi Are Getting Their Toastie Game On With This New Opening

Image credit: Toastie Lords | Instagram

Get ready for that golden toastie cheese-pull (of the four cheese variety), because Picton’s best kept secret is branching out to Ōtautahi this Thursday 23rd October. Nadia and Mason have been working hard on the fit-out and the team will be slinging sandos from 9am-7pm, seven days a week on High Street. Having been to the Picton shop, I can confirm you’ll want to try one of each flavour—along with the four cheese foundation, I still think about The Ed (a.k.a. kimchi and chipotle mayo) to this day. 

Head To Tāmaki Makaurau For A Michelin Star-Studded Collab

Image credit: Sixty Three Clinton | Instagram 

New York’s Michelin-starred 63 Clinton is coming to Tāmaki Makaurau for two sold-out nights at Paris Butter, this Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th October. With 63 Clinton’s Chef Sam Clint and Raymond Trinh, together with Chef Zennon Wijlens and the Paris Butter team, expect a six-course tasting menu like nothing experienced in Aotearoa before—bringing a modern Manhattan 63 Clinton debut with Paris Butter’s creative Aotearoa dining experience. Tickets have sold out for both nights, but try your luck on their waitlist.

Go To This Inner-City Bar For A Taste Of The Sun-Drenched Med

Image credit: Estelle’s | Supplied

Gilda, Ilberian jamón and dirty negroni with gin sous-vide in manuka-smoked olives—Estelle’s is the new wine and cocktail bar opening inside Grand Millenium Hotel Auckland this Friday 24th October. With an equally impressive mocktail program (looking at you, caramel apple pie) and dessert line up (Crème Catalana, Malaga raisin ice cream and cinnamon-sugared leche frite), they’ve got my attention. Swing by after work to check it out for yourself ahead of the long weekend.

Ōtāhuhu Are Kicking Off The Weekend With This Massive Food Festival

Image credit: Ōtahuhu Food Festival | Instagram (@eve_satay)

Over 150 food vendors are hitting up the annual Ōtāhuhu Food Festival this Saturday 25th October, along Great South Road between 10am-4pm. Bring on all the low and slow BBQ, sushi tacos, hāngī and hotteok to name a few from the hundred plus line-up. With live music and DJs spinning decks over at the town centre (kicking off from 10.30am), bring the whānau for a fun day out filled with all the eats and beats. 

Head To Whangamatā For Great Wine, A Giant Parmesan Wheel And Surf Vibes

Image credit: LVR x Pici | Instagram (@aileenchen___) 

A collab in the works since January—Camina, Amoise Wines and Pici are coming together this Monday 27th October to celebrate a special wine release between Hawkes Bay’s Amoise Wines and Camina Restaurant in Whangamatā. Working together to make a special Syrah and Cab Franc blend with vines from Hawkes Bay (the latter farmed by Amy a.k.a. Amoise Wines herself too) along with stunning label artwork from Jessica Crowe (check out the headline image), the team are gearing up to celebrate with a lil collab with Tāmaki Makaurau chef friends Kaz and Jono from Pici—who we hear are bringing a Parmesan wheel. Jump online to book a place at the release party, stat. 

This Kiwi Chippie Brand Is Bringing The Fiesta With Their Sweet Offerings 

Image credit: Xolo | Website

Inspired by buñuelos (those flaky cinnamon fritters—an essential item at every fiesta), Proper Crisps is releasing a limited-edition, sweet cinnamon tortilla chip. Just when you thought your snack decisions at the supermarket couldn’t get any harder, this cinnamon-sugared crisp arrives in supermarkets next Monday 20th October. For those based in Ōtautahi then you’re in for a pre-release treat—Chef Carlos Rodriguez from Xolo taqueria is giving the tortillas his own twist, plating up a spiced syrup and berry compote-loaded take of the dish on his menu for a limited time (from this Saturday 18th October, to 31st October). A churro crunch meets a cold scoop—proper indulgent.

Get Ready For Sunny So-Cal Vibes At This Fun New Hotel In Tāmaki Makaurau

Image credit: TRIBE | Supplied

The summer season is coming in hot and so is the latest addition to the hotel scene in Tāmaki Makaurau—Accor’s playful stay TRIBE Auckland Fort Street launches Wednesday 15th October. Complete with 60 rooms dressed in pops of colour, fun social spaces and a So-Cal inspired menu at their on-site restaurant, Sienna, expect vibrant and colourful dishes (and drinks) inspired by Southern California summers. Think baja cod tacos, eggplant schnitzel, Cali grain bowls and pineapple margaritas on tap. 

Explore Tāmaki Makaurau With Your Key To The City

Image credit: Te Motu | Vicki Young

If Waiheke is on your weekend list, make it a weekend this October. SO/ Auckland and partners are running their Key To The City offers this month, with exclusive beauty, fitness, activities and food offerings around Tāmaki Makaurau with your SO/ hotel booking. From exclusive collaboration menus with Pici, complimentary dessert at Ghost Street, to archery, cellar treats and tastings over the water at Waiheke. Spend the day at Te Motu Vineyard, where Chef Rowan and the team have created an outstanding menu with fresh produce from the vineyard’s veggie garden (and the juiciest Te Matuku oysters you’ll ever taste). Make your way down the hill to Wild Estate for a game of archery and laser clay-shooting before heading back to the luxe SO/ Auckland. Admire the best night views of the city from Hi-SO Rooftop Bar—with a BATCHED Pistachio Chocolate Martini in hand (and on tap, might we add). Don’t forget the tasty menu from Harbour Society—famous for their woodfire offerings (get the melt-like-butter salmon and dreamy pistachio dessert). 

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).

April Patisserie Is Upping Their Pastry Game With Their New Shop 

Image credit: April Patisserie | Supplied

After working on pop-up events in Te Whanganui-a-Tara over the past year, April Patisserie has opened up their brick-and-mortar shop on Victoria Street. When Grace Patisserie closed (and then moved to Ōtautahi), Jocelyn missed creating macarons and petits gâteaux. Having learnt from patisserie queen Mariah during her stint at Grace—April Patisserie began as a pop-up last year and have since gained a loyal pastry following for their gorgeous creations. With their unique take on Korean salt bread (of the jalapeño cheese variety, thanks to Eddy's savoury culinary flair) and Jocelyn’s beautiful macaron (like that coconut-pandan number on the mac menu), expect offerings both savoury and sweet. They’ll be offering petits gâteaux in flavours like strawberry and rose with vanilla, to kawakawa and lemon with coconut—to name a few of the many flavours on their opening menu. Having opened their doors for soft launch the weekend just been, you can now get your patisserie fix at their Victoria Street spot. 

Splash Out With Atelier’s Champagne Dinners This Month

Image credit: Atelier | Supplied

Four big champagne houses will grace Atelier this month for their Champagne Month dinner series. We’re talking bubbles for every palate with Louis Roederer (8th October), Veuve Clicquot (16th October), Billecart-Salmon (22nd October) and Laurent Perrier (29th October). Each dinner will showcase four different varieties to pair with a different menu each night. Dishes across the menus include their wagyu bavette steak, dreamy mashed potatoes (Robuchon style), new season asparagus and Atelier’s signature mille-feuille (hello, salted butter caramel). One lucky customer from each dinner will also get to take a precious bottle home. Get your tickets to this four course champagne dream for $195 per person here. 

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

Take a Break Up North, Go To This Month Long Food Festival

Image credit: Māha Restaurant Kerikeri | Instagram

Savour Northland is back this October, with a month-long festival celebrating Northland produce, wines and the hospitality scene. From Mangawhai to Cape Reinga—feast on lazy long lunches, nourish the mind with an exhibition on kūmara, jump on a catamaran with a wine in hand, feast on native Northland forest ingredients at Māha, or head out for a forage at the beach and cook by the sea with Chef Anna Valentine. The festival kicks off from this Wednesday 1st October, until the end of the month. Jump on the website to check out all the exciting events happening across the region.

Head South For A Wine and Food Riverside Dining Experience

Image credit: Wine + Food Experience Marlborough | Supplied

While down south, extend the trip to Marlborough where Marlborough’s Wine + Food Experience has just opened in Blenheim’s riverside precinct. With more than 50 local wineries and food producers under one roof, around a stunning copper and stainless steel grape vine sculpture commissioned by Ōtautahi-based artists Steve Trevella and Rose McKenzie, the fit out is lush and an exciting way to experience a literal taste of Marlborough. Spend the day (or night, with the space open from 11am-10pm) cellar door-hopping and experiencing personalised wine tastings (with Wine Emotion dispensers) and snacking on artisan Marlborough produce. We’re talking Little River Estate cheese, Premium Game charcuterie, Mills Bay mussels, Cloudy Bay clams, and Marlborough oysters and smoked salmon just to name a few—all while looking over at the Taylor river and Richmond ranges. Having just been to Marlborough recently, I’m looking forward to heading back and checking this space out. 

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

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Main Image Credit: Amoise x Camina | Supplied