Current Issue
FINDING
FLAVOUR NEWSLETTER
JULY, 2010
Greetings, Fellow Foodies!
We are late sending out our newsletter this month because we
have been away in Australia, enjoying one of our best holidays
ever! You know, one of those "bucket list" trips.
Uluru, Alice Springs, the Ghan Train, Darwin and Kakadu and
Arnhemland were all fantastic. For once, not a foodie focus,
but I can say that the cuisine on the Ghan was outstanding.
We took lots of photos and I will share some of them with you next
month. Thanks to Helen for taking care of the office the
first week I was away.
Earlier this week we enjoyed our "Midwinter Moroccan"
Cooking Class with Sarah La Touche. The theme of
this class appealed to many of you, and we had a great response to
the class. Take a look later in the newsletter...
I am busy getting ready for the upcoming Auckland Food
Show, 29 July-1 August. Come and visit us at
Stand 216A (next to the House of Knives).
Enter our show contest and you could win 2 places on one of our
regular Foodie Day Tours.
FREE FOOD SHOW TICKETS - I have 2 show tickets to
give away! Email me with "Food Show Ticket" in the subject
line, and the first two emails will win one ticket each for the
Show to be used 30 July-1 August. Please include your name and
mobile/daytime phone number.
Click here for
more information on the Auckland Food Show.
"World in a Day: Eastern Suburbs" Foodie
Tour
Join us and explore the Eastern Suburbs on Saturday, 21
August. This tour was such fun last year....how can
it not be when you have lunch at Mexican Specialities? This
really is an eclectic gathering of cuisines....Middle Eastern spice
mix producer, French artisan bakery, Italian food and wine
importer, plus more! Lots of tastings and lunch
included. Cost is only $90. Book
Now!
Foodie Dreams of Melbourne...
I would really love to return to Melbourne in November, and I
need three fellow foodies to join me on our Inaugural
Melbourne Foodie and Shopping Weekend, 12-14
November. I unselfishly (!) did lots of foodie
research on your behalf during my visit there in March and I would
love to share some of my finds with you. The Melbourne
Programme is included with this newsletter. Can I tempt
you to join me? Contact
lynn@findingflavour.co.nz
Winter Comfort Food Recipe
During June we attended the Finnish Society Mid-Winter (Summer)
celebrations, and enjoyed eating some of the traditional foods for
dinner. The potato casserole was beyond good....I could have
happily tucked myself up with a fork and a whole pan of this creamy
deliciousness. The unexpected ingredient is anchovies (trust
me you can't tell) and I suggest using the light coloured anchovies
that you find in the deli section of specialty food stores.
Here is the link
to the Finnish Society website and the potato casserole recipe
called "Jansson's Temptation". Let me know how you
like it.
Recent Event: "Mid-Winter Moroccan" Cooking Class
with Sarah La Touche, Tuesday evening, 20 July
The heavenly scent of spices greeted the enthusiastic
foodies who arrived for this Moroccan-themed cooking class.
We nibbled on a tasting platter of eggplant dip (baba ghanoush),
buffalo yogurt with olive oil, za'atar and Sarah's own walnut pesto
accompanied with flat breads and sipped Obsidian Chardonnay while
everyone arrived.
Pre-class
nibbles
Obsidian
Wines
Sarah with lamb tagine
Sarah proceeded to show us the secrets of a flavoursome lamb
tagine (the term applies both to the food and to the dish that it
cooks in). While this went into the oven to cook, Sarah
served us another one she had prepared earlier that day. The
tagine, fragrant with an array of spices, was absolutely delicious
and we sipped Obsidian's Weeping Sands Montepulciano with the main
course. This was accompanied by two versions of couscous with
almonds, mint and coriander and a leafy green salad. Medjool
Date and Rhubarb Fool was our luscious dessert. The
traditional mint tea completed our meal.
Our luscious
dessert
Yum!
"The tagine was absolutely divine, and the pudding a
delightful surprise," praised
class participant, Tamsin.
Thanks to Epicure Trading for giving us access to the
Dish taste kitchen, to Obsidian Wines for the accompanying
wines and to Dish for magazines for the class.
We were given lots of ideas for our Spring
Class to be held at the end of September, so plan to join
us then for something completely different!
Web-Site Updates: check our website / for the
latest updates on all our tours, events and cooking classes and to
make bookings.
Minimum Numbers
The operation of all tours and events is subject to minimum
numbers.
Payment and Confirmation
Your booking is confirmed once payment is
received.
New Cancellation Refund Policy for 2010
Cancel more than 14 days before tour:
full refund
Cancel within 14 days: no refund, but you
are welcome to substitute another person in your place
Finding Flavour reserves the right to amend/alter
a tour/event if required.
FINDING FLAVOUR NEWSLETTER
JUNE, 2010
Greetings, Fellow Foodies!
I love winter! The colder rainy weather is the
perfect excuse to prepare all those delicious comfort foods that I
love. I have even made Julia Child's recipe for "Beef
Bourguignon" as seen in the movie Julie and Julia.
Enjoy winter in Auckland and travel "overseas" with us on our
"World in a Day: North Shore Tour" (only 4 seats left) or better
yet, come to North Africa on our "Mid-Winter Moroccan" Cooking
Class on 20 July. Then there is our Melbourne Weekend in
November.....! Our initial programme for
June-December is on our Home Page now. Join
us!
In this Newsletter:
1. World in Day: North Shore Tour, Saturday, 26
June
2. "Mid-Winter Moroccan" Cooking Class with Sarah La Touche,
Tuesday evening,
20 July
3. Mexican Lunch and Restaurant Updates
4. Inaugural Melbourne Foodie Weekend, 12-14 November
5. Recent Event: Baking and Afternoon Tea with Alexa
Johnston, 8 May
Upcoming Tours, Classes and Events
1. World in a Day: North Shore Tour, Saturday, 26 June
- Only 4 places left!
There is a world of delicious food to discover on
Auckland's North Shore. This popular Discovery Tour is a real
food shopper's treat: German, French, Middle Eastern, South
African, and Kiwi artisan food are just some of the parts of the
culinary globe that we will cover.
Highlights include: German artisan bakery; Halal Butcher and Middle
Eastern food suppliers; South African food maker and deli; French
deli; Korean supermarket. Lots of tastings and lunch
included. Bring your shopping bag and chiller bag - you will
want to take some treats home! Cost including transportation,
tastings, lunch and an information kit is only $90.
Book now! Or email
lynn@findingflavour.co.nz
2. "Mid-Winter Moroccan" Cooking Class with Sarah La
Touche,
Tuesday evening, 20 July
Join us as Sarah prepares a fragrant and flavoursome
Moroccan meal. She shows us how to prepare a
tagine, an accompanying dish and of course,
something delectable for dessert! We finish with the
traditional cup of hot mint tea. We will send you off into
the night having been transported, at least momentarily, to this
North African cuisine destination.
This delicious class will be held Tuesday, 20 July, at 6:15pm
for a 6:30pm start and will finish at approx. 8:30pm. Cost is
only $90 per person and includes the demonstration class, generous
tastings, refreshments and recipes to take home.
Numbers are limited, so Book
Now! or phone Lynn (021) 550-510.
3. Authentic Mexican Lunch at Mexican Specialities -
Update
Unfortunately, due to space restrictions, we have had to cancel
our special lunch at Mexican Specialities. In the time since
we first made our booking, the restaurant size has been reduced,
making it even cosier, but too small for our exclusive lunch.
Please do visit them during the daytime, Thursday-Saturday
at 92 Marua Rd, Ellerslie (around the side). You
will love their food and their hospitality. (I particularly
recommend the shrimp taco.)
Another authentic Mexican restaurant worth checking out is
the newly opened AHSI ITZCALLI MEXICAN AND MAYA FOOD 2 Surrey
Crescent, Grey Lynn. Phone: 09 376 01 96 or contact mexars@yahoo.com.mx.
This is run by the same family that operates the Mexican stall at
the Ponsonby International Food Court, so the food should be
excellent. Your feedback on this restaurant would be most
welcome!
4. Inaugural Melbourne Foodie and Shopping
Weekend, 12-14 November
How does a weekend of fabulous food and shopping in
Australia's most cosmopolitan city sound? Join us on our
inaugural Melbourne Foodie Weekend, Friday, 12 November to Sunday,
14 November. We should enjoy spring weather for our forays
into the shops and restaurants of this great city. You might
even get a start on your Christmas shopping! We only need 3
bookings (and a maximum of 6) to make this weekend happen, so get a
couple of friends to join you. For more information
and an outline itinerary, check the
website or call Lynn (021) 550-510.
Recent Event: Baking and
Afternoon Tea with Alexa Johnston
Alexa welcomed the participants to this
extremely popular special event into her heritage villa and
proceeded to bake and chat away a chilly autumn afternoon.
She prepared a number of dishes from her best-selling cookbooks,
including Honeymoon Sandwiches, Savoury Cheese Dreams, Crunchy
Apple Slice, French Bonbons and more. Alexa had set her large
dining table with embroidered table cloths and bone china teacups
and saucers, which we sat around after her demonstration to
enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea.
Alexa regaled the group with the stories behind the recipes and her
cookbooks, as well as giving us great baking tips along the
way. We eagerly await her next publication "What's for
Pudding?", being published in 2011.
Web-Site Updates: check our website / for the
latest updates on all our tours, events and cooking classes and to
make bookings.
Minimum Numbers
The operation of all tours and events is subject to minimum
numbers.
Payment and Confirmation
Your booking is confirmed once payment is
received.
New Cancellation Refund Policy for 2010
Cancel more than 14 days before tour:
full refund
Cancel within 14 days: no refund, but you
are welcome to substitute another person in your place
Finding Flavour reserves the right to amend/alter
a tour/event if required.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please
e-mail us with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
FINDING FLAVOUR NEWSLETTER
MAY, 2010
Greetings, Fellow Foodies!
Mother's Day - Gift Vouchers from Finding Flavour
make the perfect present!
There is still time for you to order a Gift
Voucher for that special female family member or
friend. They can join us on any standard priced Foodie Day
Tour or Cooking Class in the coming year....a unique experience
that we promise they will love! Email Lynn now on lynn@findingflavour.co.nz.
In this Newsletter:
Upcoming May and June Tours, Classes and Events:
1. World in a Day: Central Suburbs Tour, Saturday, 29
May
2. Mexican Lunch at Mexican Specialties Restaurant, Sunday, 13
June
3. World in Day: North Shore Tour, Saturday, 26 June
4. Recent Event: Seasonal Flavour Autumn Cooking Class with Sarah
La Touche
5. Recent Tour: World in a Day: Western Suburbs Inaugural
Tour
Upcoming May and June Tours, Classes and
Events
1.World in a Day: Central Suburbs Tour, Saturday, 29
May
French pastries, fragrant Indian spices, amazing Asian foods,
Middle Eastern hospitality...you will experience all this and more
on our day of discoveries and tastings of Auckland's Central
Suburbs. Newly revised, this tour takes you around the Mt
Eden, Onehunga and Dominion Rd areas for an international foodie
adventure. You will also get the opportunity to shop at an
Importer's Kitchenware outlet. Cost including transportation,
tastings, lunch and an information kit is only $90.
Book now! Or email
lynn@findingflavour.co.nz
2.Authentic Mexican Lunch at Mexican Specialities,
Sunday, 20 June
Let us share the secret of this convivial Mexican restaurant
with you! Tucked away on a side street in Ellerslie hides
this small restaurant run by Jose Carlos de la Macorra and
Maria Batiz. It has become very popular with "those in the
know", but it is only open during the day from Thursday to
Saturday.
We have persuaded Jose and Maria to open just for Finding
Flavour for an exclusive lunch on Sunday, 13
June. Jose will cook us a variety of authentic
Mexican dishes (including one dish with a mole sauce) while we
enjoy the warm hospitality provided by Maria. Cost including
a welcome drink and lunch is only $55 per person. Book
Now! Or email lynn@findingflavour.co.nz
3.World in a Day: North Shore Tour, Saturday, 26
June
Join us to discover a world of foodie delights across the
Harbour Bridge. This is always a popular tour, and for good
reason. During the day you will visit an artisan German
bakery, French deli, Halal butcher and Middle Eastern food
importer, Korean supermarket plus more! Cost including
transportation, tastings, lunch and an information kit is only
$90. Book now!
Or email lynn@findingflavour.co.nz
4.Recent Event: Seasonal Flavour Autumn Cooking
Class with Sarah La Touche, Thursday, 29 April
"Very well planned, generous with portions and wine. Great
length of time - very informative. Loved the class.
Thanks." Gillian
"Loved her (Sarah's) natural style and she is just from the
heart which is refreshingly genuine." Class
participant
We were all in a convivial mood as we gathered to enjoy warming
autumn foods prepared for us by Sarah La Touche. This was the
first time that we used the kitchen of Epicure Trading, and it
worked a treat. Participants were offered a glass of wine
along with a complimentary bag of hand-made Real Potato Crisps and
a copy of Dish magazine on arrival.
Sarah introduced us to those more unusual but delicious seasonal
vegetables, and our menu included Baby Leeks with Walnut
Vinaigrette and Barley Risotto with Cavalo Nero. Our dessert
was a chocoholics dream "Crème au Chocolat". To read
more about this delicious event, check out our Home
Page, just scroll down past the Programme
Calendar.
_140x210.jpg)
Sarah preps for the class Gillian helps Sarah tie
the leeks into bundles
Join us in July for our Seasonal Flavour Winter Cooking Class when
Sarah will prepare a fragrant and warming tagine as part of a
Moroccan/Middle Eastern menu.
5.Inaugural Tour: World in a Day: Western Suburbs, Saturday,
24 April
"An informative and wonderful day. Thank
You. Really enjoyed the ethnic/cultural experience."
Sandy, tour participant
We were sold out for this inaugural tour of the Western
Suburbs. It was a full day of discoveries including visits to
an artisan Swiss bakery, European food importer/deli, South African
food supplier, Pakisatani/Indian spice and food shop, award-winning
ice cream maker and award-winning fortified wine
producer.
Lunch was at Auckland's best Malaysian food restaurant...a
favourite of Simon Gault's. We even managed to fit in a quick
shopping stop at a boutique importer of Italian ceramics, Venetian
glass jewellery and masks. Whew! To read more
about this inaugural tour and see all the photos, check out our Home Page, just scroll
down past the Programme Calendar and Cooking Class
event.
Here is a glimpse of our busy day....
Tasting platter just for us
Italian
ceramics
Malaysian lunch
dishes
We all love ice cream!
Web-Site Updates: check our website / for the
latest updates on all our tours, events and cooking classes and to
make bookings.
Minimum Numbers
The operation of all tours and events is subject to minimum
numbers.
Payment and Confirmation
Your booking is confirmed once payment is
received.
New Cancellation Refund Policy for 2010
Cancel more than 14 days before tour:
full refund
Cancel within 14 days: no refund, but you
are welcome to substitute another person in your place
Finding Flavour reserves the right to amend/alter
a tour/event if required.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please
e-mail us with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
FINDING
FLAVOUR NEWSLETTER
APRIL,
2010
Greetings, Fellow Foodies!
Hope you have had a lovely Easter weekend and enjoyed your fill
of chocolate and other goodies. I did my usual taste survey
of Hot Cross buns from a variety of bakers(!) and made a Simnel
Cake, complete with marzipan topping and the 11 marzipan
balls. There were some very tempting displays on offer in our
specialist shops:
We enjoyed a perfect day in the autumn sunshine on Easter
Saturday walking with llamas (yes, you read this correctly) at
Bethell's Beach. Karma Llamas is a
business owned and run by Penny King (a fellow foodie on our
inaugural Sydney Foodie Weekend last November). We loved our
llama adventure....we lead these very calm and gentle creatures on
a walk on the beach and over the sand hills and then indulged in a
gourmet picnic complete with a glass of wine. The llamas did
not carry us, but they carried everything else! Visit the
website on www.karmallamas.co.nz.
Walking with llamas......Penny sets up the gourmet
lunch
I have lots more to share with you in this newsletter, so please
read on...
In this Newsletter:
Upcoming April Tours, Classes and Events:
1. Food Alley Feast Lunch, 18 April
2. New Date - Autumn Cooking Class with Sarah La
Touche now on 29 April
3. World in a Day: Western Suburbs Discovery
Tour, 24 April
4. Baking Class and Afternoon Tea with Author Alexa
Johnston, 8 May
5. Croissant Making Workshops, Paneton Bakery
6. Recent Event: Wellington Foodie Discovery Day Tour
7. Recent Visit to Melbourne Food Festival and Master Classes
Upcoming April Tours, Classes and Events
1. Food Alley
Feast Lunch, Sunday, 18 April
We had such fun last year with Jean de Bruyne when she hosted
our Yum Cha Lunch that we just had to do another lunch with
her. This time we explore one of Auckland's most awarded food
halls, Food Alley, on lower Albert Street.
First Jean will tour us around the various stalls which offer a
wide variety of authentic Asian food: Malaysian, Thai,
Indonesian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese are all there. Then
Jean and I will order a couple of dishes from several of the stalls
for us all to share for our Asian Feast. This is a great
opportunity to "spread your foodie wings" and try something
different. Cost is only $45. Book Now!
Call Lynn on (021) 550-510 or book on
our website.
2. Seasonal Flavour
Autumn Cooking Class with Sarah La Touche. 29 April
Sarah returns to the kitchen on Thursday 29 April (new
date) for our second Seasonal Flavour Cooking Class
celebrating the bounty of the autumn harvest. Sarah will
prepare some unusual vegetable recipes and other seasonal
offerings. We always learn so much from Sarah, both in terms
of cooking and in terms of nutrition. And the tastings are
always delicious! These are popular classes so avoid
disappointment and book now! Cost is only
$90. Call Lynn on (021) 550-510 or book on
our website.
3. New! World in a
Day: Western Suburbs Discovery Tour, Saturday, 24
April
We are adding the Western Suburbs to our "World in a Day" tour
repertoire. Our research has turned up some wonderful foodie
suppliers and makers for you to discover with us. We will
visit an artisan Swiss baker, European and Dutch food suppliers,
spice shop and an award-winning ice cream maker. Thanks to
fellow-foodie Alexia Santamaria for telling us about a family-run
Malaysian restaurant where we will enjoy lunch. Our day wraps
up with a tasting of award-winning fortified wines!
Come on! Become a Westie for a day and join us on this
great tour. Cost is only $90 and includes lots of tastings, a
delicious lunch, transportation and information pack. We already
have several bookings for this tour so don't miss out.
Book Now! Call Lynn on (021) 550-510
or book on our
website.
4. Baking Class and Afternoon Tea with
Author Alexa Johnston, Saturday, 8 May
We are thrilled that Alexa Johnston, author of the best-selling
cookbooks Ladies, a Plate and
A Second Helping, has invited us into
her home for an afternoon of baking, stories from her cookbooks and
afternoon tea.
Cost is only $90 per person and includes baking demonstration by
Alexa in her home followed by afternoon tea. Numbers
are strictly limited - first in, first served, so
book now! Call/text Lynn on (021) 550-510 or email
lynn@findingflavour.co.nz.
5. Croissant Making
Workshops, Paneton Bakery, April - June
Our friends at Paneton Bakery are offering croissant making
workshops on 11 and 18 April, 2 May and 27 June. We all love their
ready-to-proof and bake frozen croissant dough. This is your
opportunity to get behind the scenes and have a hands-on experience
in making the perfect croissant. For more information and to
book, contact Madeleine on panetonbakerycooking@gmail.com.
6. Recent Event: Wellington Foodie
Discovery Day Tour, Saturday, 6 March
"Fantastic day - experienced wonderful tastes from
around the world. Thank you for a wonderful
experience."
Feedback from one of the tour participants....just the
experience that I was hoping our group would have, especially since
most of them had made the trip especially from Auckland for this
tour!
The weather gods were smiling on us at we explored the
foodie scene in our capital city. Forecasts for clouds and
winds did not eventuate, and we enjoyed a beautiful sunny day in
Wellington and the trendy suburb of Petone.
Any foodie tour of Wellington must include a visit to their premier
food supplier conveniently located in the central city. Terry
kindly met us and provided a tasting of specialty food products
from Wellington and surrounding regions: Kingsmead Ngawi
brie, Linkwater cheddar, Arobake honey and walnut leaf, Wairarapa
gold olive oil, Mela apple juice, Ruth Pretty tomato chilli jam,
Rutherford and Meyer wafers, Aromatics smoked mushrooms and
Harringtons pepperoni salami. We ate it all!
It is so interesting to see products from suppliers not usually
seen in Auckland...and great that a large food retailer is
supporting the local growers and food makers. (No prizes if
you guessed that our first stop was at the outstanding Moore
Wilson's Fresh!)
Time for coffee....at a specialist coffee brew bar
featuring nine single origin coffees and four brew methods!
Charlie and Ben guided us through all the choices and made their
recommendations.
On to Petone....where we started by visiting a Dutch food importer
(more tastings!), a spice shop and a cookbook shop on Jackson
Street. Then a little free time to explore some of the
other interesting shops.
Photo: Gouda cheese tasting
Lunch just had to be at a very popular Italian food importer whose
restaurant is always full to overflowing. The philosophy of
owner/founder Antonio Cacace is to use the freshest and best of
Italian and New Zealand ingredients. We can attest that it is
a delicious philosophy! Our lunch included linguine with
clams, ravioli stuffed with pork and beef (the hit dish of the
lunch), grilled vegetables and the most delicious seasonal salad of
fresh peaches, tomatoes, walnuts and shredded basil.
One last stop....at a treaure chest of a specialist food
importer/supplier. We were given a warm welcome by Stephen
and his team, and plied with coffee and tastings of all kinds,
including a selection of unusual salamis and
sausages.
Photos: Stephen plying us with more
food! Just some of the salamis and sausages for sale
Fortunately this was our last stop of the day....I don't think
many of us had room to taste another thing!"A thoroughly
enjoyable day. Thank You." Feedback from tour
participant Liz.
Join us next year when we return to Wellington for another
delicious foodie tour. And watch out for possible day tours
in Nelson or Napier/Hawkes Bay!
7. Melbourne Food Festival and Master Classes,
18-21 March
It was a tough weekend, but I managed to eat and shop my way
through it! Melbourne celebrates all things to do with food
and drink at their annual Food and Wine Festival, held this year
from 12-23 March. I was fortunate to take in a few days of it
from 18-21 March, and even did some research on your behalf -
anyone interested in a Melbourne foodie weekend in November?
It's hard to say what I enjoyed the most: visiting some
unique food suppliers and importers, eating at some of Melbourne's
outstanding restaurants or the day of Master Classes that I
attended. Heck, I enjoyed it all! Here are a few photos
of the highlights....check out our website Home
Page for the complete story.
Charming Sicilian
bakery
Prahan
Market
Grand Finale dessert, The Press Club
.jpg)
Amazing Spanish food supplier
Judy
enjoying oysters and bubbles Plating of
impromptu Risotto Dish for 200, Master Class
Web-Site Updates: check
our website / for the latest
updates on all our tours, events and cooking classes and to make
bookings.
Minimum Numbers
The operation of all tours and events is subject to minimum
numbers.
Payment and Confirmation
Your booking is confirmed once payment is
received.
New Cancellation Refund Policy for 2010
Cancel more than 14 days before tour:
full refund
Cancel within 14 days: no refund, but you
are welcome to substitute another person in your place
Finding Flavour reserves the right to amend/alter
a tour/event if required.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please
e-mail us with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
FINDING FLAVOUR
NEWSLETTER
MARCH, 2010
Greetings, Fellow Foodies!
The year of the endless summer in Auckland has been a real
treat. This weekend we took in the Lantern Festival, part of
the Chinese New Year Celebrations in Auckland.
Crowds enjoying the food stalls....
Just one of the amazing lanterns
Our first event of the new year, Seasonal Flavour Summer Cooking
Class with Sarah La Touche, on 9 February, added some
delicious Mediterranean treats to our summer entertaining
repertoire. See Recent Events in the
newsletter. Sarah's Autumn Cooking Class is now
scheduled for 25 March. Book
now and don't miss out.
How about an indulgent weekend in Sydney, 30 April-2
May? Book by 15
March while there are still good airfares
available. Get a couple of friends to join you - we only need
three people to run this fantastic weekend experience!
Looking for some tomato recipe ideas? Check out the Recipe
Exchange on our website.
In this Newsletter:
1. Upcoming March Tours, Classes and Events
2. Sydney Foodie Weekend - Book by 15 March!
3. Food Alley Feast Lunch, 18 April
4. Recent Event - Summer Cooking Class with Sarah La Touche
5. Tour and Event Programme Summary -See our Home
Page
1. Upcoming March Tours, Classes and Events
You can still join us on Saturday, 6 March in Wellington
as we explore and taste the foodie delights of our capital city on
our Wellington Foodie Discovery Day Tour. We
will start in the central city before heading out to Petone for the
rest of the day. Tour Cost only $90. Book
Now! Call Lynn on (021) 550-510 or book on
our website.
Explore Auckland on our World in a Day: Eastern Suburbs
Tour on Saturday, 13 March. This popular tour
includes French, Italian, Middle Eastern and Kiwi foodie delights,
lots of tastings and a fabulous Mexican lunch! Tour Cost only
$90. Book Now! Call Lynn on (021) 550-510 or book on
our website.
Sarah La Touche returns to the kitchen on Thursday
25 March for our second Seasonal Flavour Cooking
Class celebrating the bounty of the autumn harvest.
Cost only $90. Book Now! Call Lynn on (021)
550-510 or book on our
website.
Photo: Mexican Lunch on our World in a Day:
Eastern Suburbs Tour
New! Last year we introduced a tour just for
chocolate lovers, and this year we have expanded the tour to
include shopping for Easter foodie goodies. Join us
on Saturday, 27 March (the week before Easter) on this new
Chocolate Lovers and Easter Treats Tour. We will learn
about chocolate, enjoy lots of tastings and shop for other goodies
for Easter. A day of indulgence! Tour cost only
$90. Book Now! Call Lynn on (021) 550-510 or book on
our website.
To complete this foodie month, I will be heading to Melbourne to
attend the Melbourne Food Festival and attend a day of Master
Classes. I will also be doing research for our
proposed Melbourne Foodie Weekend planned for
mid-November, 2010. Interested in this weekend or in our
Sydney Weekends? Call Lynn on (021) 550-510 or email
lynn@findingflavour.co.nz
to find out more.
2. Sydney Foodie Weekend, 30 April - 2 May
- Book by mid-March!
Get a couple of friends to join you on this deliciously
indulgent weekend in Sydney. Our weekend starts late morning
on the Friday in Sydney and finishes mid-afternoon on the Sunday,
so that you can catch an evening flight back to Auckland.
During that time we will eat, drink and shop and have a fabulous
time!
The May weekend is timed to coincide with the outstanding monthly
Good Living Market at Pyrmont, Chef/caterer Judy Leach
will again meet us at the market and then will come to cook us a
very special dinner in our apartment hotel that evening.
During the weekend we will enjoy a walking tour of the Italian
neighbourhood of Haberfield and I will take you to my favourite
discount supplier of homeware, cookware and giftware. We will
eat at both well-known and lesser known restaurants, but I promise
that it will all be delicious!
The cost for accommodation (twin share), wining and dining and
personal guiding by Judy Leach and myself is $1200 per
person. We can help you to arrange flights if required.
Single accommodation supplement applies. Tour group size will be
kept to six fun-loving foodies to maximise the conviviality!
Expressions of interest are welcome, and a minimum of three
confirmed bookings are required by mid-March for the May tour to
proceed. Questions? Call Lynn on (021)
550-510. Request a more detailed
itinerary -email lynn@findingflavour.co.nz
or book on our
website.
3. Food Alley Feast Lunch, Sunday, 18
April
Ever looked into Food Alley on lower Albert
Street but were not sure about entering? Perhaps you are a
regular patron, but stick to your favourite meal or food
stall. This is your chance to spread your foodie wings and
try some delicious new Asian food dishes at one of
Auckland's best food halls specialising in Asian food.
Hosted by the congenial Jean de Bruyne (who hosted last year's
successful Yum Cha Lunch), we will first walk around this food hall
featuring the cuisines of Thailand, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, China,
Malaysia, India and more. Then Jean and I will order a
variety of dishes from the vendors and we will all sit down to
share a delicious lunch together. Cost is only $45. Book
Now! Call Lynn on (021) 550-510 or book on
our website.
4. Recent Event: Seasonal Flavour Summer
Cooking Class with Chef Sarah La Touche, Tuesday, 9 February
"Wow!" "Mmmmm - this is delicious"
Chef Sarah La Touche kicked off our 2010
programme in our Summer Seasonal Flavour Cooking Class
with a repertoire of amazing tastes. Our palates were awakened
with delicious flavours from the Mediterranean region.
Several of the dishes were new to us, but Sara demonstrated
them in her usual relaxed and informative style and made
it easy for us to prepare them at home. The Tavel rose
wine from Maison Vauron complemented the food
perfectly.
Special thanks to Anthea Springford who once again opened her
beautiful home for the class and provided such warm
hospitality.
Photos: Two of the dishes: Grilled Vegetables with
Romesco Sauce (the hit of the evening!) and Charmoula Prawns with
Coriander and Lime
Join us for our Autumn Cooking Class with Sara now
being held on Thursday evening, 25 March. (Note new
date). Book Now!
5. Tour and Event Programme, February-June, 2010
We have so many tours, cooking classes and special lunches to
offer to you.... take a look at our full programme on the
Home Page of our website now!
Web-Site Updates: check our website / for the
latest updates on all our tours, events and cooking classes and to
make bookings.
Minimum Numbers
The operation of all tours and events is subject to minimum
numbers.
Payment and Confirmation
Your booking is confirmed once payment is
received.
New Cancellation Refund Policy for 2010
Cancel more than 14 days before tour:
full refund
Cancel within 14 days: no refund, but you
are welcome to substitute another person in your place
Finding Flavour reserves the right to amend/alter
a tour/event if required.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter,
please e-mail us with "Unsubscribe" in the subject
line.
FINDING FLAVOUR
NEWSLETTER
JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2010
Greetings, Fellow Foodies!
What a wonderful New Year this has been so far...the weather has
been warm and we have enjoyed lots of time at the beach. It's
the perfect weather for main course salads and alfresco
dining. Add to your summer cooking repertoire at our
first 2010 Seasonal Flavour Summer Cooking Class with Sarah La
Touche, on Tuesday evening, 9 February.
Read more about this and our other upcoming tours and events later
in the newsletter - new and favourite tours, cooking
classes and a weekend in Sydney!
Our 2010 Programme summary features at the end of the newsletter
or check it out on our website Home Page.
In this Newsletter:
1. Seasonal Flavour Summer Cooking Class with Sarah
La Touche
2. Chinese New Year Event Update
3. March Highlights
4. Sydney Foodie Weekend - Book Now!
5. Tour and Event Programme, Feb-June, 2010
1. Seasonal Flavour Summer Cooking Class with Sarah La
Touche, Tuesday evening, 9 February
Chef and food writer Sarah La Touche will inspire us
with a celebration of summer produce in our first Seasonal Flavour
Cooking Class of 2010. Her proposed menu includes escalivada
with romesco sauce, chermoula prawns, and a smoked fish
salad. These will be accompanied by wine from Maison
Vauron. We will enjoy sampling the food together in the
class. You will take away recipes and inspiration for
the rest of the summer season! Class is limited to 10
participants. Book Now! Call Lynn on (021)
550-510 or book on our
website.
2. Chinese New Year Event Update, planned for 20 February
Unfortunately, due to business commitments, Jean de Bruyne
is not able to offer this wonderful day of creating a wealth jar
for the coming year and eating a dinner of traditional Chinese new
year foods. Instead, enjoy the public Chinese New Year events
being held in Auckland, and plan to attend this very special day
with us next year.
3. March Highlights
Our programme really swings into action in March....spend
Saturday, 6 March in Wellington with us as we
explore and taste the foodie delights of our capital city on our
Wellington Foodie Discovery Day Tour. We
will start in the central city before heading out to Petone for the
rest of the day. Tour Cost only $90. Book
Now! Call Lynn on (021) 550-510 or book on
our website.
Explore Auckland on our World in a Day: Eastern Suburbs
Tour on Saturday, 13 March. This popular tour
includes French, Italian, Middle Eastern and Kiwi foodie delights,
lots of tastings and a fabulous Mexican lunch! Tour Cost only
$90. Book Now! Call Lynn on (021) 550-510 or book on
our website.
Sarah La Touche returns to the kitchen on Tuesday, 23 March
for our second Seasonal Flavour Cooking Class celebrating
the bounty of the autumn harvest. Cost only $90.
Book Now! Call Lynn on (021) 550-510 or book on
our website.
New! Last year we introduced a tour just for
chocolate lovers, and this year we have expanded the tour to
include shopping for Easter foodie goodies. Join us
on Saturday, 27 March (the week before Easter) on this new
Chocolate Lovers and Easter Treats Tour. We will learn
about chocolate, enjoy lots of tastings and shop for other goodies
for Easter. A day of indulgence! Tour cost only
$90. Book Now! Call Lynn on (021) 550-510 or book on
our website.
To complete this foodie month, I will be heading to Melbourne to
attend the Melbourne Food Festival and attend a day of Master
Classes. I will also be doing research for our
proposed Melbourne Foodie Weekend planned for
mid-November, 2010. Interested in this weekend or in our
Sydney Weekends? Call Lynn on (021) 550-510 or email
lynn@findingflavour.co.nz
to find out more.
4. Sydney Foodie Weekend, 30 April - 2
May
Our initial "test" weekend in November was such fun, we knew
that we had to offer this weekend on a regular basis. We are
offering this fabulous weekend of foodie exploring, shopping and
eating two times in 2010: the weekend of 30 April-2 May and
again in October.
The May weekend is timed to coincide with the outstanding Good
Living Market at Pyrmont, which only occurs on the first Saturday
of the month. Chef/caterer Judy Leach will again meet us at
the market and then will come to cook us a very special dinner in
our apartment hotel that evening. We will enjoy a walking
tour of the Italian neighbourhood of Haberfield and I will take you
to my favourite discount supplier of homeware, cookware and
giftware. We will eat at both well-known and lesser known
restaurants, but I promise that it will all be delicious!
The cost for accommodation (twin share), wining and dining and
personal guiding by Judy Leach and myself is $1200 per
person. We can help you to arrange flights if required.
Single accommodation supplement applies.
Tour group size will be kept to six fun-loving foodies to
maximise the conviviality! Expressions of interest are
welcome, and a minimum of three confirmed bookings are required by
mid-March for the May tour to proceed. Book
Now! Call Lynn on (021) 550-510 or book on
our website.
5. Tour and Event Programme, February-June,
2010
We have so many tours, cooking classes and special lunches in
mind to offer to you....this will be a great year! Some
highlights include: Seasonal Flavour series of
cooking classes offered by Sarah La Touche,
Sydney Foodies Weekend in May, our World in a Day
tour programme enlarged to include West and South
Auckland, Food Alley Feast and Mexican special
lunches....plus more! Previous clients can look
forward to a special advance offer later in the
year.....The Programme Calendar follows at the end of the
newsletter or take a look at our full
programme on the Home Page of our website
now!
Web-Site Updates: check our website / for the
latest updates on all our tours, events and cooking classes and to
make bookings.
Minimum Numbers
The operation of all tours and events is subject to minimum
numbers.
Payment and Confirmation
Your booking is confirmed once payment is
received.
New Cancellation Refund Policy for 2010
Cancel more than 14 days before tour:
full refund
Cancel within 14 days: no refund, but you
are welcome to substitute another person in your place
Finding Flavour reserves the right to amend/alter
a tour/event if required.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please
e-mail us with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
Finding Flavour Programme
February - June, 2010
Join us on one of our exciting upcoming foodie day tours,
lunches or cooking classes:
Tues 9 Feb
Seasonal Flavour Cooking Class: Summer with Chef
Sarah La Touche
(evening)
Sat 6 March Wellington
Foodie Discovery Day Tour
Sat 13 March World in a Day
Tour: Eastern Suburbs
Thurs 25 March Seasonal Flavour Cooking Class:
Autumn with Chef Sarah La Touche
(evening)
Sat 27 March Chocolate Lovers
and Easter Treats Tour
Sun 18 April "Food Alley
Feast", a discovery lunch of Asian foodie delights in Auckland's
best food hall,
hosted by Jean de Bruyne
Sat 24 April
World in a Day Tour: West Auckland
Fri 30 April -
Sydney Foodies Weekend Tour
Sun 2 May
Sat 29
May
World in a Day Tour: Central Suburbs
Tues 15
June Seasonal
Flavour Cooking Class: Winter with Chef Sarah La Touche
(evening)
Sat 19
June World
in a Day Tour: North Shore
Sun 20
June Mexican
Fiesta Lunch at Mexican Specialties
All tours/events subject to minimum numbers. Finding
Flavour reserves the right to amend/alter any tour/event
FINDING FLAVOUR NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER, 2009
Greetings, Fellow
Foodies! Isn't it
wonderful to see those fresh spring vegetables appearing in the
shops and growing in our gardens (for those of us lucky to have a
little vege patch)? Sarah La Touche inspired us
with a Spring Lunch at our recent Seasonal Flavour Cooking
Class...read more later in the newsletter.
Photo: Asparagus "aux Mimosa"
In this Newsletter:
1. Gardens for Foodies Tour, 29 November....Selling
Fast!
2. Christmas Baking and Treats Tour, 12 December...Book
Now!3. Gift Vouchers...the perfect Christmas gift for
your foodie friends, partner and clients4. Enter the
Contest to win 1 of 10 copies of "Homegrown Tomatoes"
5. Special Offers from Paneton French Bakery and Gretel's
Gingerbread
6. Recent Event: Spring Cooking Class with Sarah
La Touche Congratulations to
Charles Wiffen wines...their Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2007
received a 5* rating in the Pinot Noir tastings in the latest issue
of Cuisine. We enjoyed a tasting of several
Charles Wiffen wines at our Cooking
Class. Upcoming Tours and
Events:
1.Gardens for Foodies Tour, Sunday, 29 November - Selling
Fast!
We
are thrilled that again this year we will be visiting the amazing
garden of Lynda Hallinen, gardening guru and Editor of NZ Gardener
Magazine.
We will also visit three vege gardens in the Takapuna/Devonport
area : 2 public gardens (Wilson Centre and Framework Trust) and a
private suburban garden where we will enjoy morning
tea/coffee.
Come prepared to learn, be inspired and enjoy!
Cost of $110 pp includes transportation, garden visit fees, morning
tea/coffee and lunch. Book Now! Phone Lynn at
(09) 372-7344 or (021) 550-510 or book on our website.
This tour sold out quickly last year -
don't miss out!
2.Christmas Baking and Treats Tour -Saturday, 12
DecemberOur annual Christmas Baking and Treats tour is
just what you need to purchase all those Christmas goodies as gifts
or to enjoy over the holidays. This tour is always such fun, with
everyone getting into the Christmas spirit. We
also indulge in a delicious lunch at one of my favourite
restaurants. This is a great tour to enjoy with
friends or workmates. Why not play Santa and
give it as a gift to one of your foodie friends?
Book Now! Phone Lynn at (09) 372-7344 or (021) 550-510 or book on
our website.
3.Gift Vouchers
Thoughts of Christmas beginning to dance through your
head? Your gifts to your foodie friends, family
or clients are sorted with a Gift Voucher for a foodie tour,
cooking class or special lunch from Finding Flavour. You can
nominate the value of the voucher or the event that you wish to
purchase. We can send it to you or direct to the
recipient...the choice is yours! We promise that
this will be a gift that will be warmly received and
enjoyed. Phone Lynn at (09) 372-7344 or (021)
550-510 or book on our website.
Our next Sydney Foodie Weekend would make a perfect
special Christmas present for yourself! Imagine
a weekend of delicious foodie discoveries and indulgences and
shopping! Tell Santa to contact Lynn on (09)
372-7344 or (021) 550-510.
4.Win One of 10 Copies of NZ Gardener's "Homegrown Tomatoes"
publication
The friendly people at NZ Gardener have kindly given
us 10 copies of their new "Homegrown Tomatoes" publication to give
to our readers. Send us your favourite recipe
using fresh tomatoes and be in to win a copy.
Just email your recipe and your contact details to lynn@findingflavour.co.nz
by Friday, 27 November. The winners
will be announced in the December newsletter and their recipes will
be posted onto the Recipe Exchange of our website.
5.Special Offers:
Learn to Make Croissants at Paneton French Bakery and New Service -
Order Products On-LineWe love the bread and pastries
at Paneton....our visit on our French Discovery Tour is always so
delicious. Now you have the opportunity to learn
to make your own croissants at one of their upcoming
classes: 28 November, 5 December and 12 December
(subject to numbers). For more information or to
book email Madeleine@paneton.co.nz
Introducing a new service from Paneton - now you can
have their ready-to-bake specialty breads and frozen ready-to-prove
pastries couriered to you at your home. What a
convenient service - just in time for holiday
entertaining! Prices and order info at info@panetonbakery.co.nz
Make sure that you tell Paneton that you heard about the
classes and the order delivery service from Finding Flavour.
Gretel's Gingerbread - November Christmas Special
We will share the secret of Gretel's Gingerbread with
you. Place your order during November for a delivery closer to Xmas
and you get free delivery within Auckland if
you purchase $50.00 + worth of products or ($5.00 nationwide
delivery fee). Products can be viewed and orders placed on
www.gretelsgingerbread.co.nz Tell Marianne
that Finding Flavour recommended them to you.
6.Recent Event: Seasonal Flavour Spring Cooking
Class with Sarah La Touche, 10 October
The calendar may have said "spring" but the weather definitely said
"winter". Despite the weather, this sold-out class gathered
to prepare for the spring produce that is sure to come!
Special thank you to Anthea Springford who opened her beautiful
home for the class and made us all feel very welcome.
Chef Sarah La Touche had planned a delicious French-style spring
lunch menu for us: Asparagus aux Mimosa; Fish on
Mediterranean Salad; Strawberries with Sabayon. These were
accompanied by wonderful Charles Wiffen Wines: Riesling,
Reserve Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Sarah had so much information to share, and
the time went all too quickly. Here are a couple of
food images, but feast on them all on our website...
just scroll down past the programme
calendar.
Preparing the asparagus salad Fish
on Mediterranean Salad
We all watched as Sarah made the Sabayon for the dessert...she
hand-whisked the egg mixture in her beautiful copper bowl set over
simmering water.....
Fresh Strawberries with Sabayon....delectable!
Here is a selection of the feedback we
received from the class:
"Easy to follow and understand"
"Wonderful for me, a novice, but seemed great for those with
more experience as well"
"Looking forward to using the recipes ASAP"
"Homely and relaxing. Hostess (Anthea) was delightful."
My favourite comment re cooking classes:
"Have them more often"
We have taken the comments on board,
and we are delighted to tell you that
Sarah La Touche has agreed to present the Seasonal
Flavour series of cooking classes for
2010. She will present 4
classes, following the rhythm of the food
seasons. Watch for the first Seasonal
Flavour cooking class for 2010 early
in February...celebrating the bounty of high
summer.
Web-Site Updates: check our website /
for the latest updates on all our tours, events and cooking classes
and to make bookings.
Minimum Numbers The operation of all tours and
events is subject to minimum numbers.
Cancellation Policy Cancel more
than 7 days before tour: full refund
Cancel within 7 days: no refund,
but you are welcome to substitute another person in your
place
Finding Flavour reserves the right
to amend/alter a tour/event if required.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter,
please e-mail us with "Unsubscribe" in the subject
line.
FINDING FLAVOUR NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER, 2009
Greetings, Fellow
Foodies!
Just when we thought spring had arrived, we have been blasted with
a reminder of winter weather. Had to revert to
my warming winter meals again! Is it just me, or
did daylight savings start too early this
year??
We will think positive thoughts for our Spring
Cooking Class with Sarah La Touche on Saturday, 10
October. Speaking of positive weather thoughts
for the weekend, venture out to join the Diwali celebrations on the
Auckland Viaduct this coming weekend, 10-11 October, from 12
noon-10pm each day. There will be dozens of food
stalls, clothing and jewellery stalls, plus
more. Make sure that you visit Stall #19, where
Pratima Nand, our guide on our fantastic recent Indian Food and
Diwali Celebrations Tour, will be selling her delicious food. Tell
her that Finding Flavour sent you!
In the past month we have enjoyed travelling across
the Harbour Bridge to explore the North Shore as well as immersing
ourselves in Indian culture and enjoying some of their wonderful
cuisine. I even managed to slip away for the
most amazing week of indulgence in Vietnam on a women-only
"Gorgeous Safari". (Hi to Virginia from
Christchurch!) More about all these
later....
Upcoming Tours and Events:
Gardens for Foodies Tour, Sunday, 29 November - Book Now!
We are thrilled to confirm that once again, this year we will be
visiting the amazing garden of Lynda Hallinen, gardening guru and
Editor of NZ Gardener Magazine.
Last year we were the first public tour group to visit
Lynda's garden, and it was a fascinating
experience. Lynda gave us a warm welcome and
toured us around her extensive garden (mostly
veges). We enjoyed our lunch sitting in the
sunshine on her decks. This year we hope to
repeat the experience!
We will also visit three vege gardens in the
Takapuna/Devonport area t: 2 public gardens (Wilson Centre and
Framework Trust) and a private suburban garden where we will enjoy
morning tea/coffee. Come prepared
to learn, be inspired and enjoy! Cost of $110 pp
includes transportation, garden visit fees, morning tea/coffee and
lunch. Book Now! Phone Lynn at (09) 372-7344 or
(021) 550-510 or book on our website.
Christmas Baking and Treats Tour - Thurs, 10 and Sat, 12
December
I can't believe it myself, but Christmas is only 2 ½
months away! We can help! Our
annual Christmas Baking and Treats tour is just what you need to
purchase all those Christmas goodies as gifts or to enjoy over the
holidays. This tour is always such fun, with everyone getting into
the Christmas spirit. We also indulge in a
delicious lunch at one of my favourite
restaurants. This is a great tour to enjoy with
friends or workmates. Why not play Santa and
give it as a gift to one of your foodie friends?
Book Now! Phone Lynn at (09) 372-7344 or (021) 550-510 or book on
our website.
Gift Vouchers
Take the stress out of your Christmas gift giving this
year and give your foodie friends, family or even clients a voucher
for a Finding Flavour tour, cooking class or
lunch. You can nominate the value of the voucher
or the event that you wish to purchase. We can
send it to you or direct to the recipient...the choice is
yours! We can promise that this will be a gift
that will be warmly received and enjoyed. Phone
Lynn at (09) 372-7344 or (021) 550-510 or book on our website.
Recent Tour: Indian Food and Diwali Celebratons Tour
hosted by Pratima Nand, Saturday, 3 October
"Auckland's 'Little India' was a real
experience. A Saturday on the sub-continent." Joanna, tour
participant and world traveler
We knew that this would be a special day and
we were certainly right...our vivacious host Pratima Nand
transported us to India for the day on this foodie and cultural
experience. Share some of the day with
us....
Pratima and Vincent, a friendly staff member of this outstanding
Indian snacks and sweets maker/supplier.
Sweet treats are traditionally given as gifts during
Diwali, so this was a fitting first stop on our tour. Pratima
explained the Diwali festival and pointed out the delicious sweets
in the shop. Our generous tastings extended to the delicious
savoury snacks.
On to some retail therapy at a shop offering the most
beautiful Indian clothes and jewellery. We were welcomed by
the owner, who pointed out a family who had travelled from
Melbourne to purchase their special wedding clothes and who were
trying on various outfits. The shop was bustling with others
purchasing new clothes for the Diwali season....
It did not take one member of our group
long to spy a beautiful silver necklace and claim it as a prize
purchase!
We moved on to a well-known supplier of
Indian food and spices. This was the perfect opportunity for
Pratima to give us a crash course on the use of some of the
favourite spices in Indian cooking as well as a few recipe
tips.*
Time for lunch - and what a lunch it was! The vegetarian
banquet we enjoyed (only part of which is pictured in the photo)
was outstanding (we did not eat meat in respect of the gods we were
visiting next at the temple). Yes, this was another one of
our infamous "light lunches"! Our hosts outdid themselves
with this feast. The grand finale was a special Diwali
dessert which originated as a dessert prepared for kings..right
down to the silver on the top. The taste was truly
divine.
Prior to lunch we tried our hand at the use
of stencils and coloured powder to make the traditional "ohm"
symbol. Many Indian families decorate their entry or
gardens with these and other stencils during the Diwali
festival.
Our visit to an importer of fresh fruit and veges from Fiji gave
us an excuse to walk off some of our delicious lunch...for once we
were glad that we did not have another tasting!
The very special conclusion of our Indian experience
was our visit to the Bhartiya Mandir Temple. Pratima
explained the stories of the various gods and goddesses, and the
rituals and offerings. This was the first time that most of
the members of our group had been in a Hindu temple, and we
were made to feel welcome. Pratima told us that the temple
would be filled with dancing that evening in honour of Goddess
Durga (9 nights of dancing in all). The Diwali celebrations
would then follow.
Goddess Durga
Diwali is calculated according to a lunar
calendar, hence its variation in dates each year. The main
"Festival of Lights" is always held on a dark or "no moon"
night. The official dates of Diwali, 2009 are
17-18 October.
There will be Diwali celebrations on the Auckland Viaduct the
weekend of 10-11 October. Pratima will have a food stall
there (#19) so be sure to introduce yourself to her as a Finding
Flavour reader.
*Pratima Nand has published several cookbooks,
including "Pratima's Royal Recipes" which features recipes
from all parts of India. Her recipe for the delicious Diwali
sweet "Srikhand" is from this cookbook. If you
would like to purchase her very reasonably priced cookbooks, email
her at pratima@xtra.co.nz
Tour participant, Briony, shared her recipe for Paneer
and Spinach. Just click
here for the recipe in our Recipe Exchange.
Recent Tour: World in a Day: North Shore, Saturday, 26
September
"Great way to explore the North Shore and to discover places
selling delicious and exciting foods from different cultures.
An intrepid foodie's journey into a multi-ethnic world of food."
Vicki
"Great contacts we didn't know existed, which we can go back to."
IanWe love our tour on the North Shore, and it seems
our fellow foodies did too! This was a day in which we truly
did travel round the foodie globe...take a look at our
journey....
We started the day in style...fresh coffee and tastings of French
food...
Grace has our tastings of fresh breads and pastries ready at the
German bakery
Next - the Middle East! We visit a
Halal butcher and a Middle Eastern food supplier. Fresh
flatbreads were delivered during our
visit.
Lunch was an opportunity for us to try Korean food - a delicious
new experience for most of us. Vicki did a great job of
stirring the bibimbap! The friendly owners of the restaurant
made us feel very welcome. As one participant told us "I had
never tried any of the (food) before and if I had been on my own I
would not have known where to start."
South Africa was next....this specialist maker of
South African foods such as boerworst, biltong, melktarte and
koeksisters is a family-run business. We felt that we
were visiting good friends. Of course, more
tastings.....
Our afternoon concluded with a wine and cheese
tasting at an excellent specialist food, wine and cheese
supplier. Didier's enthusiasm for quality food and wine
is contagious...we couldn't resist a little more
shopping!
"This was a delicious day in all senses of the word." Lynne, tour
participant
Happy Birthday to Judy, who celebrated her birthday the day of the
tour! We are flattered that she chose to join us
for the day.
You are welcome to join us on our next foodie
adventure.....
Women's Gorgeous Safari Week in Vietnam, September
I just have to share some of the experience of this
fantastic week with you. Ladies, imagine a week
of shopping, great food and daily spa treatments, all in a
wonderful country and with someone else taking care of all the
details.....well, this trip was just that!!
Browse the following photos....if you would like to find out more
about this trip, or any of the other wonderful tours offered by
Gourmet Safaris (not just for women!), take a look at their website.
Please let me know if you are interested in booking any of their
tours, as we may have a special treat for Finding Flavour
readers....
Shop in Hoi
An
Friendly cyclo drivers and tour
leader
Welcoming staff at
tailors Amazing owner of
restaurant and cooking school
Pool and beach at Quy
Nhon
Special in-room pedicure and bubbles
Spa relaxation
area
Beach barbecue evening for our
group
Please let me know if you are interested in this or
any other tour offered by Gourmet Safaris,...we may have a special
"extra" for Finding Flavour readers.....
Web-Site Updates: check our website /
for the latest updates on all our tours, events and cooking classes
and to make bookings.
Minimum Numbers: The operation of all tours and
events is subject to minimum numbers.
Cancellation Policy: Cancel more than 7 days
before tour: full refundCancel
within 7 days: no refund, but you are welcome to
substitute another person in your place
Finding Flavour reserves
the right to amend/alter a tour/event if
required.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter,
please e-mail with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
FINDING FLAVOUR NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER,
2009
Greetings, Fellow
Foodies!
Spring is here! Just
look at these beautiful kowhai blossoms on our
street:
Welcome to the new readers of our monthly newsletter - if you do
not wish to continue receiving our communications, please reply
with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
Ladies...Bring a Plate....Second
Helpings:
Congratulations to the lovely Alexa Johnston and her new
cookbook. This is her second cookbook
taking a fond look back at the popular baking in NZ's
past. It is so special that Alexa has given us
the background and personal stories of many of the
recipes.
I am the kind of person that can read a cookbook like a novel, and
Alexa's cookbook is as interesting to read as it is tempting to
bake with. Alexa has promised that Finding
Flavour can look forward to a baking session with her in the new
year!
Upcoming Tours and Events:
Book Now!World in a Day: North Shore,
Thursday, 24 and Saturday, 26 September
This tour received such a great review in the Viva section of the
NZ Herald last year, that we had to offer a second tour to meet
popular demand! So this year we are giving you
the choice of a weekday tour when the shops are not so busy or a
Saturday tour for your convenience.
There is a world of delicious food to discover on Auckland's North
Shore. This popular Discovery Tour is a real food shopper's
treat: German, French, Middle Eastern, Korean, and South African
specialty and artisan foods are just some of the parts of the
culinary globe that we will cover. We always seek to offer you an
extra-special experience, so this year we have added a wine and
cheese tasting at a specialty foods supplier as our last visit on
the tour.
As in every Finding Flavour tour, we will enjoy lots of tastings
and time for shopping. A delicious light lunch is
included. Bring your
shopping bag and chiller bag - you will want to take some treats
home! Cost is only $90 per person. Book
Now! Phone Lynn at (09) 372-7344 or (021)
550-510 or book on our website.
Indian Food and Diwali Celebratons Tour hosted by
Pratima Nand, Saturday, 3 October - This
is going to be a fascinating and delicious day - join
us!
Cookbook author and community leader Pratima Nand is
our guide on this introduction to the culture of Indian food and
Diwali celebrations.
We will start the morning at an Indian sweets shop
where we will sample some of the goodies while Pratima gives us a
brief overview of Indian cuisine and explains the meaning of
Diwali. Then we
are off to admire some of the gorgeous fabrics and clothes that are
purchased for the celebrations. Our next stop
will be at a food store to learn about the many spices used in
Indian cuisine and some of the other food
ingredients.
Lunch (vegetarian) will be at a well-known south
Indian restaurant where, if we are lucky, we will sample some
special foods eaten during Diwali. Our last stop
will be a visit to an Indian temple with Pratima to tell us about
the Diwali celebrations that will occur there.
Book now for this very unique tour! Cost is $110
per person. Phone Lynn at (09) 372-7344 or
(021) 550-510 or book on our website.
Recent Tours and Events:
French Food Discovery Tour with Sarah La Touche:
"The French Food Discovery Tour
with Sarah La Touche and Lynn Huhtala teased the tastebuds,
delighted our palates and broadened our culinary horizons. A
fabulous, exciting and delectable tour with two informative,
friendly and congenial guides. Thank you both for an amazing
day. You thoroughly spoilt us!" Feedback from a happy
participant at the end of our French tour (honest, we didn't write
this ourselves!)
Everyone in our enthusiastic group arrived promptly for our
early departure of 8:15am. The markets wait for no-one,
and we wanted the best selection! Sarah lead our group
through the fresh vegetables in the market. We found a
good supply of celeriac and fennel for which Sarah described
many ways to prepare and enjoy. The fresh pea shoots were a
new vege discovery for most of
us.
Sarah promotes the celeriac! Talking about fresh
veges
We each went our separate ways to explore more of the
market and the rest of this well-known French products
importer.
Authentic French-style salads on offer
Next - time for croissants and coffee - but first
we learned how to roll up the croissant dough. This wonderful
French bakery treated us to freshly baked croissants and pastries
as a reward for our "hard work"!
Dominique demonstrates the rolling of croissants....as Chrissy,
Phil and Pauline watch
Then it is our turn to give it a go
Shopping time at a French deli well-known for its homemade terrines
and pates. We tasted and shopped! Sarah lead us through
the fresh and imported food items and told us how they are used and
enjoyed in France.
Delicious terrines and pate tasting platter
A brief apertif of bubbles, and then we were off to
our wonderful lunch. Voila Cafe is run by brother and sister
team Merouane and Lily Rahal, who were born in Algeria and raised
in Brittany. Their menu reflects this heritage, and we can
tell you that the food was absolutely delicious! We all vowed
to return.
Briony and Vicki enjoy lunch
Chicken ballontine galette
Merouane and
Lily, Voila Cafe
Dessert was a visit to a shop featuring luscious
handmade chocolates. Our final stop on this voyage of food
discovery was a tasting of French wine and cheese. The
knowledge and enthusiasm of Jean-Christophe Poizat cannot be
surpassed. A relaxing and delicious conclusion to our
afternoon.
Matched wine and cheese
tasting
A successful shopping day!
"I loved your enthusiasm and generosity with your knowledge.
Thank you very much for a great day out!", Phil, tour
participant
"A fun, informative and interesting day - well organised, paced and
a great group of people. I would recommend them to all my
friends. Great hostesses. Thank you Lynn and
Sarah." More great feedback from another participant.
Merci beaucoup, Sarah, and all the wonderful food suppliers and
makers, for a fantastique day!
Recent Event: Eritrean Lunch and Coffee Ceremony,
Saturday, 15 August
Our group of keen foodies gathered together to meet at the
home of Aklilu, Rahel and Tsehaines. We couldn't have
asked for a warmer welcome or more generous hospitality for this
very special experience.
Rahel and Tsehaines had prepared several delicious Eritrean dishes
for us to enjoy on the unique homemade flatbread (engera).
These were "zigni", a lamb dish with with onion, tomatoes, garlic,
chili and cardamom; "qusta or hamli", a finely shredded cooked
silverbeet dish with tomato and spices; "ades", a red lentil dish
(my personal favourite) and "alicha", seasonal vegetables with
chili and tomato. We ate these on the flatbread using our
right hand as is their custom. We did quite well for
beginners!
Our introduction to the coffee
ceremony started as we ate lunch. Rahel washed and dried
the green coffee beans, and then toasted them over a charcoal
brazier. After they were ground, the coffee was placed
in a gourd-shaped vessel and brewed. It was served in
beautiful small espresso cups. This process was repeated
three times using the same grounds so that we had three strengths
of coffee: very strong, strong and slightly less
strong!
To accompany the coffee we nibbled on
fresh popcorn and a homemade yeast bread with a similar texture to
scones. The bread was cut by Aklilu, as is their
custom.
During the ceremony, we chatted and
learned more about the family and the Eritrean culture. We
viewed a DVD about Eritrea and we were especially honoured to
view the wedding DVD of Aklilu and his bride in Eritrea.
The warmth of the hospitality we
enjoyed that afternoon more than made up for the cool
winter weather. Thank You to Aklilu, Tsehaines and Rahel for
opening their home and culture to us.
Also thank you to Atomic Coffee who
provided freshly roasted coffee beans for the participants to
continue the coffee experience at home!
Our group gathers in the
home
Our delicious homemade lunch prepared
by Rahel and Tsehaines
Rahel prepares
coffee..........
Tsehaines serves us
Aklilu cuts the traditional bread Enjoying
our coffee experience
Join us on our next Finding Flavour
adventure! Web-Site
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