Lewis Road claims top award at New York specialty food show –
Lewis Road Creamery’s 10 Star Certified Salted Butter has gained international recognition and named the 2023 sofiTM Product of the Year, at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City. The award is presented to a single product annually at The Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) sofiTM Awards. Bestowed since 1972 they are a top honor in the $194 billion specialty food industry. Jason Clements holds the award. “Judging was performed by a panel of 400 food experts, and for a product that originated on our farms in Waikato to win the major award at a show in NYC is…
Farewell Gen Z let’s nourish Gen Alpha –
By Marisa Bidois, Chief Executive Officer of the Restaurant Association of New Zealand. Just as we are making careful considered decisions around how and where we spend our time and our money, so too are out customers. Some of the lifestyle changes triggered by the pandemic were temporary while others may have more staying power. In 2023 and beyond we find ourselves in a world where social interaction has dramatically changed and with accelerated adoption of technology. We are now also dealing with rising costs of living which is having an impact not only on discretionary spending but also on…
Sid brings fresh approach to winter fine dining –
The iconic Sid at the French Café in Symonds Street, Auckland is heading into winter with new menu offerings and options to bring more fun to fine dining. As well as launching a new winter tasting menu, the celebrated restaurant is introducing a flexible à la carte menu and snack offerings, (pictured below), giving guests more relaxed options. The restaurant is also taking walk-ins for those wanting to pop in spontaneously for an after-work cocktail or glass of wine with snacks. Guests can enjoy these impromptu treats in the heated undercover area in the Mediterranean-inspired courtyard or around a brazier…
Mount Maunganui’s Freeport with Cleaver & Co Wins Best NZ Toastie –
The North Island is home to the country’s tastiest toasted sandwich once again, with Mount Maunganui’s Freeport with Cleaver & Co taking top honors in the Great NZ Toastie Takeover 2023. Talented young chef Brooke Moore has won the hotly contested title – and snagged bragging rights for the North Island for the second time only in the competition’s history – with her impressive creation Surf, Turf & Smoke, Monsieur! Thrilled to have taken out the top prize, Moore says she relished the challenge of coming up with Freeport’s first ever Toastie Takeover entry. A standout for competition judges, Freeport’s…
voco Auckland City treads lightly with sustainability trifecta –
the voco brand made its New Zealand debut with the opening of voco Auckland City Centre, and this May the hotel is celebrating its first year of sky-high stays, accolades and sustainable milestones centered on its ‘tread light’ philosophy. Last week, the dual-branded tower development voco Auckland City Center that also includes the Holiday Inn Express City Center was awarded a trifecta of Master Builders Commercial Project awards and were crowned winners of the Commercial Project Award Over $25m, Built Tourism and Leisure Project Category, and the Master Builders Supreme Award for 2023. Pro-invest Hotels, Area General Manager, New Zealand,…
Disappointment at APTR decision –
The accommodation industry has expressed its disappointment with the Supreme Court ruling that the Auckland Council’s Accommodation Provider Targeted Rate (APTR) funding for tourism is valid. The contentious hotel bed tax was introduced in 2017 by the Auckland Council to boost tourism funding and has now been given the green light after being suspended in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hospitality economy. Hospitality New Zealand’s Accommodation Association Lead & Sector Chair, Troy Clarry, says the decision to overturn the Court of Appeal ruling will have long-term implications for operators; not only for Auckland but…
Budget unbalanced overall says Hospitality New Zealand –
Budget 2023 does not do enough to further support small businesses and contains little acknowledgment of the current economic environment’s impact on business in general, says Hospitality New Zealand. Chief Executive Julie White said there were some helpful moves on the budget, but overall, it was a disappointment. “The additional $17.6 million, over five years, of funding for the Major Events Fund to support the ongoing attraction of major events to Aotearoa will be welcomed by the sector. “This is essential for us to attract big events and add immense vibrancy to our main centers, driving tourism and economic spending.…