All posts filed under: Giveaways

Chicken hand pies and a Freedom Farms giveaway

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At the beginning of 2016 when bloggers everywhere were sharing their New Year resolutions, I shared my list of 5 things I wanted to do more and less of during 2016. One item on my list was “free range”. Animal welfare is important to me and I eat free range whenever I can. As of this year, I only buy free range pork, chicken and eggs. The good thing is, eating free range has become increasingly affordable and accessible as more consumers demand it. Full disclaimer, I relax this when eating out and would never even mention it if someone were awesome enough to cook for me. There’s a difference between showing integrity and being a dick. I hope free range becomes the norm in our lifetime and maybe one day we don’t have to worry about it at all. Until then, it’s good to keep track of accessible free range products. Freedom Farms is one of NZ’s most trusted free range brands and their streaky bacon (YUM!) is always on my shopping list. When I heard they launched a …

Winner of ETA UpperCuts $100 Cassia voucher

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With special thanks to ETA UpperCuts #OpenUpInteresting I am pleased to announce the winner for the Cassia $100 voucher giveaway. Cassia won Metro’s Best Restaurant 2016 and Chef Sid Sahrawat is considered one of our most innovative and inspiring chefs, recently taking the title of Cuisine’s Chef of the Year. Drawn by Random.org the winner is… **drum roll please!** Jason Alipao Congratulations Jason! I loved picking out this prize and I hope you enjoy your visit to Cassia. To keep up with giveaways and announcements, make sure you follow my Facebook page here.  

Winner of the Long White Vodka prize pack

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With special thanks to Long White Vodka I am pleased to announce the winner for the 12 piece contemporary stoneware dinnerware set and a 16 piece gold toned cutlery set valued over $250. Drawn by Random.org the winner is… **drum roll please!** Lisa Gladkova Congratulations Lisa! I hope you enjoy the beautiful set perfect for easy entertaining.   To keep up with giveaways and announcements, make sure you follow my Facebook page here.    

Street Eats giveaway winner

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With special thanks to Auckland Restaurant Month I am pleased to announce the winner for the Street Eats prize pack. Drawn by Random.org the winner is… **drum roll please!** Element DP / Jason Faircloth Congratulations Jason! I hope you and your friend enjoy Street Eats the entry for two, two food items and two drinks to be redeemed on Saturday 6 August 2016 at Shed 10 on Queens Wharf. I loved reading all your answers to my skill question on your favourite places to eat in Auckland. Lots of great suggestions! To keep up with giveaways and announcements, make sure you follow my Facebook page here.

The Food Show Auckland – Double pass winner

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With special thanks to The Food Show I am pleased to announce the winner for the double pass to The Food Show Auckland. Drawn by Random.org the winner is… **drum roll please!** Alex Johnson Congratulations! I hope you and your friend enjoy the event and eat and drink your weight in goodies 🙂 Tips for The Food Show: Avoid the queues and buy your ticket online Bring cash, including coins (parking is $10 and cash only) Bring an appetite Keep hydrated with a bottle of water Bring a sturdy bag and sensible shoes Leave your jacket in the car (it gets very warm inside) Bring a friend or go alone. This is not a place for large groups. Check out the timetable for Whirlpool Cooking Theatre and plan your day accordingly. To find out more info including exhibitors and demonstrations and to buy tickets visit www.foodshow.co.nz Don’t forget to enter my other giveaways. Including a Street Eats Prize Pack and a gorgeous dinnerware and cutlery set. To keep up with giveaways and announcements, make sure you follow my Facebook page here.  

Auckland Restaurant Month and a Street Eats giveaway

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August is Auckland Restaurant Month and this year, Street Eats on the first Saturday of the month (Saturday 6 Aug 2016). Huzzah! I love Street Eats which I view as a walking, build-your-own degustation. Browse, graze, have a drink, and enjoy the atmosphere. There will be over 80 dishes, usually priced between $5 to $12, covering many different cuisines from restaurants, cafes and food trucks around Auckland. With games for kids, a bar for grown ups and live music for everyone, there will be plenty to keep you amused. Entry is $5 for adults and free for supervised kids. Gates open 10.30am and close 8pm, though I highly recommend an early visit as many of the best dishes sell out. Check out the menus here if you’re like me and like to have a browse before the event. Here’s a few pics I’ve snapped of past Street Eats to get your appetite going…   There are lots of other foodie events on this month, with serious and novel themes. Events include Dinner in the Dark (sold out), Dessert Degustation Walking Tour …

The Food Show Auckland is coming – double pass giveaway

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The Food Show is coming back to Auckland from Thursday 28 to Sunday 31 July, from 10am to 6pm at ASB Showgrounds. A great place to sample new products, buy show specials and explore new food trends. The ever popular Whirlpool Cooking Theatre will be showing 5 demonstrations each day with headlong NZ food personalities including Chelsea Winter, Josh Emett, Ray McVinnie, Sachie Nomura (Sachie’s Kitchen), Simon Gault, Megan May (Little Bird) and Kyle Street (Depot). Also for the first time, there will be demonstrations by food blogger Emma Galloway from My Darling Lemon Thyme. It’s so cool to see food bloggers at events like this. My Darling Lemon Thyme blog has been around for years, even longer than this blog. Emma and her family have been in living in Perth for 5 years but recently moved back to NZ meaning she can do cool stuff here like The Food Show. I count Emma as a blog role model so I look forward to seeing her demonstration. The full schedule for Whirlpool Cooking Theatre can be viewed online here. This year, …

Game of Rhones – double pass winner

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With special thanks to Game of Rhones I am pleased to announce the winner for the double pass to this Saturday’s Auckland event (worth $120). Drawn by Random.org the winner is… **drum roll please!** Emma Tan Congratulations Emma, I hope you and your friend enjoy the event! All wine tastings are included, just bring money for food and take home bottles if that’s your thing. To keep up with giveaways and announcements, make sure you follow my Facebook page here.

#WineIsComing – A double pass giveaway

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(scroll down for giveaway)     There are people who like drinking wine and having fun. Are you one of those people? If so, keep reading. I was a late convert to Game of Thrones but I now watch it religiously. The season finale of Season 6 is in 3 days and it will be long, loooong wait until the next season in 2017. But wait! There’s more! Next Saturday, while the season finale of GoT is still warm, Auckland is getting a very special event called Game of Rhones. Not affiliated in any way with GoT, Game of Rhones is a big deal in Australia, where it began…Where Dan Sims, the founder started it as a bit of a joke, but then more seriously and rather quickly expanded into Game of Rhones events in 7 cities in Australia and New Zealand. Where people drink wine and are encouraged to channel their favourite GoT character. I’ve included some photos I took of Auckland’s 2015 event but check out their Facebook album to get the full effect of …

Easy Entertaining with Long White Vodka (and a giveaway)

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(scroll down for giveaway)  I once paid $2.55 for a single lime. I was furious. *shakes fist* That was summer. When limes are like gold. I would buy one lime at up to $35 per kilo and make every wedge count. Now that it’s winter, New Zealand limes are in season and around $5 per kilo – completely affordable. You can enjoy them as nature intended. And you should. Another way I’m enjoying New Zealand limes this winter is with Long White Vodka Lemon & Lime. Light and refreshing, Long White Vodka is made using local ingredients, and it’s sweetened with apple juice so there’s no added table sugar. Ingredients are NZ sparkling water, triple distilled vodka, fruit juice and natural flavours. That’s it. SWEET. Plus these drinks have a beachy label design and sport a twist top (YAY!). I was inspired by the Lemon & Lime flavour to create an easy recipe for sharing with friends this winter. Chicken wings are a favourite at our place and make an appearance regularly. They are cheap, simple …

Dairyworks giveaway winner

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With special thanks to Dairyworks I am pleased to announce the winner for the Lodge 26cm cast iron skillet and a cheese grater (worth $100) in celebration of the new Dairyworks cheese convenience range. Drawn by Random.org the winner is… **drum roll please!** Ashleigh Rowland Congratulations Ashleigh, I hope you enjoy your new kitchen essentials! I adore my cast iron and use it every day. It makes the best toasted sandwiches and burgers. For more information about Dairyworks including their convenience cheese range, visit their website here. To keep up with giveaways and announcements, make sure you follow my Facebook page here.

Winetopia 2016 double pass winner

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With special thanks to Lemongrass Productions I am pleased to announce the winner for the double pass to Winetopia presented by Singapore Airlines. Drawn by Random.org the winner is… **drum roll please!** Indiana Turner Congratulations Indiana, I hope you and your friend have a wonderful time at the Winetopia! Tickets are $30+bf and includes x5 tastings plus a wine glass. Tickets available through iTicket. Extra tastings are $2 each and can be purchased at the event. For more information, visit: www.winetopia.nz  Make sure you try some of the event food pairings. Free range pork terrine, prawn and pork rice paper rolls, oysters, dumplings, cheese platters, cured meats and chocolate. Heavenly! Thank to everyone else for all your entries. I loved reading your delicious answers. To keep up with giveaways and announcements, make sure you follow my Facebook page here.

Films for Foodies, City of Gold winner

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With special thanks to Rialto Newmarket I am pleased to announce the winner for the double pass to this month’s Films for Foodies event, City of Gold screening on Wednesday 25 May 2016. At Films for Foodies, guests enjoy a glass of Crossroads wine, plate of nibbles and a foodie goodie bag to take home. Tickets are $35 pp. Drawn by Random.org the winner is… **drum roll please!** Bri DiMattina Congratulations Bri, I hope you and your friend have a wonderful time at the City of Gold! Thank to everyone else for all your entries. I feel like I hit the jackpot asking you all to name your favourite “under the radar” eatery in Auckland. Don’t worry guys, your secrets are safe with me, though there were a couple of eateries mentioned more than once. Which reminds me I need to visit again! Don’t forget I have a double pass to giveaway to Winetopia check out this page to enter. If you live in Auckland and are into wine, this event is unmissable. More information on Films for Foodies can be found here. Rialto Newmarket is at 167 – 169 Broadway, Newmarket. …

Winetopia 2016 – double pass giveaway

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Around this time next month, a new wine event called Winetopia will descend upstairs at Shed 10 on Queens Wharf. With one evening session on Friday 20 May 2016 and two sessions on Saturday 21 May 2016, New Zealand’s top wineries will be represented as well as local wine experts, critics and sommeliers. Run by Lemongrass Productions, the good people behind Taste of Auckland and Wine AKL you can expect the same level of atmosphere and delicious tastings at Winetopia. If you’re interested in learning thing or two about wine, there will be free classes as well as $20 Masterclasses. Bluesy Jazz duo Hopetoun Brown (ex-Supergroove brass section) will play a live set at all three sessions. Thanks to Lemongrass Productions, I have a double pass to Winetopia presented by Singapore Airlines on Saturday 21st May 2016, 12pm to 3.30pm. This includes 5x tastings plus a wine glass each, plus free talks and entertainment. To enter, complete the form at the bottom of this post, including a skill question. With Earlybird tickets well and truly gone (I snaffled up …

City of Gold at Films for Foodies – double pass giveaway

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My Perfect Storm Last Wednesday, I rounded up some passionate Auckland foodies (Carli from The Enthusiastic Cook, Bri from Food Adventures and Georgie from GeorgiEats) for Rialto Newmarket’s Films for Foodies. I’ve been to a couple of these events before but not for over a year. This event was the preview screening of restaurant/chef documentary NOMA: My Perfect Storm. NOMA is a restaurant in Coppenhagen, Denmark who won title of Best Restaurant in the World in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014. The documentary explains the journey to the top of the restaurant world, the expected ego and the surprising attitudes of those involved. Chef René Redzepi hails from Macedonia and struggled with the lack of a unified Scandinavian cuisine, the sourcing of local produce and personal prejudice. There are also interviews with critics, food writers and others and I loved the “time and place” ethos of the restaurant. Inspiring plating and interesting for those who enjoy cooking and eating locally and seasonally. Films for Foodies Films for Foodies is a regular event held at Rialto Newmarket. Guests …

CheeseFest 2016 double pass winner

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With special thanks to Countdown CheeseFest I am pleased to announce the winner for the double pass (worth $60) to the CheeseFest on Wednesday at The Langham. Drawn by Random.org the winner is… **drum roll please!** Alexandra Blair Congratulations Alexandra, I hope you and your friend enjoy all the amazing cheese! The CheeseFest runs from 5pm to 8.30pm and there are amazing sales tables so make sure you bring a chiller bag if you a serious about cheese. I had the pleasure of working at the judging on Sunday and I tasted more than my fair share of New Zealand’s finest cheeses. You’re in for a treat! For more info visit: New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association http://www.cheeselovers.co.nz …and check out their Facebook page here to keep up to date with news and for more festival info.

Countdown Cheesefest is coming! Double pass giveaway

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Calling all cheese lovers! The very best of New Zealand’s cheeses will be carefully judged and ranked for the New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards in a few days. To celebrate the winners, this year sponsored by Countdown, the CheeseFest will be hosted at The Langham Auckland’s Great Room, from 5pm to 8.30pm on WEDNESDAY 2 MARCH 2016. Taste, admire and purchase NZ’s best cheeses to your hearts delight and enjoy a complimentary Crossroads wine or Epic beer on arrival. Tickets are $30 +bf and available online here. Door sales from 4.30pm on the day $35.   Thanks to the CheeseFest, I have a double pass to give away (worth $60). To enter, simply fill in the entry form at the bottom of this post. There will be plenty of cheese samples and also cheese bargains to be found on their famous cheese sales tables. I attended my first CheeseFest last year and I was in awe of the cheese sales tables. Check out my rundown of last year’s CheeseFest here. Tips for CheeseFest: There are amazing specials on cheese. Clear your fridge and …

Auckland Seafood Festival 2016 – double pass winner

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With special thanks to Auckland Seafood Festival I am pleased to announce the winner for the double pass to next week’s event. Running 5 sessions over 4 days at Halsey Wharf which is downtown between the Viaduct and North Wharf. This event is for seafood lovers only. Expect to gorge yourselves on crayfish, scallops, oysters, scampi, whitebait, paua, octopus, mussels and various other seafoods. A list of stalls and their menus can be found here. Drawn by Random.org the winner is… **drum roll please!** Fran Bulidon Congratulations Fran, I hope you and your friend have a wonderful time at the festival! Thank to everyone else for all your entries. Reading the answers reminded me of all the yummy seafood recipes I’ve made. More information including ticket sales can be found at their official website www.aucklandseafoodfestival.co.nz Don’t forget, I have another delicious giveaway to be drawn today, check out my Facebook page to enter. I’ll leave you with a few pics I’ve taken from past seafood festivals.   

Auckland Seafood Festival 2016 – double pass giveaway

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2016 has started with a bang. Like just about everyone else, I have some dietary intentions for the year. I was feeling like were were eating too much red meat last year, but instead of saying, “I will eat less red meat” I’ve been saying, “I will eat more seafood”. The thinking is different, the end result is the same. So far in 2016, I have eaten yakitori scallops, whole grilled squid, salt pepper squid, herb-crusted pan-fried salmon, bagel with lox, yakitori salmon, mayo-cheese mussels, prawn pasta, Vietnamese pancake with pork and prawn, prawn fried rice, prawn and fish butter curry, fish tacos and a fish burger. Not bad considering we’re only 15 days in. Here’s to 2016 being a seafood-fuelled year and hopefully I’ll will cook or eat a seafood dish that I’ve never cooked or eaten before. With Auckland anniversary coming up, we can look forward to even more seafood at Auckland Seafood Festival. Running 5 sessions over 4 days at Halsey Wharf which is downtown between the Viaduct and North Wharf. Thanks to …

Fullers Waiheke giveaway winner

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With special thanks to Fullers I am pleased to announce the winner for the return trip for two to Waiheke via Fullers. Drawn by Random.org the winner is… **drum roll please!** Nicole Dekker Congratulations Nicole, hope you have a wonderful time on Waiheke! Thank to everyone else for all your entries. There was a record number of entries for this competition. Waiheke is the most Instagrammmed location in New Zealand so I guess that shouldn’t have been a surprise. For those who are interested in going to Waiheke Fullers have a new timetable over summer, with more ferry departures, and new menu for those who want to enjoy local delicacies on board. The new menu includes Passage Rock wines, Tuatara craft beer and cider, Waiheke fudge and Te Whau Lodge’s toasted muesli. I’ll leave you with a few photos I took when I visited Waiheke with NZBloggers last month. To keep up with announcements including giveaways, make sure you follow me on Facebook or Bloglovin’.