Hot Takes: Dr. Death, Melbourne Cup, Taste and more

Race-goers going to celebrate the Melbourne Cup. Photo / Getty

RACE:

Melbourne Cup Day celebrations. Photo / Getty

On your marks, get set … go! Today heralds the start of November, which means next Tuesday is one of the biggest days in the world of horse racing: Melbourne Cup Day. You can celebrate this year's race with a glass of bubbles at a number of bustling city-wide locations. If you fancy a waterfront view, HeadQuarters, Soul and Dr Rudi's will all be streaming the race live. Or if you're closer to the Sky Tower, head to The Sugar Club, Huami, Gusto or Masu to attend Fashion on Federal, featuring special Melbourne Cup menus and a live fashion show. Alternatively, you can head to the heart of Auckland horse-racing, Ellerslie Racecourse, for Auckland's biggest Melbourne Cup Day party, where the best-dressed guest will win a $1000 prize.

GO:

Sam Smith performs onstage. Photo / Getty

Four-time Grammy Award-winning artist Sam Smith hits Auckland this week and will take the stage at Spark Arena this Friday and Saturday night. The 26-year-old Brit is known for his classic tunes like Stay With Me and Lay Me Down, which never fail to tug at my heartstrings. Smith's star began to rise in 2012 when he collaborated with Disclosure on the catchy song, Latch, which you no doubt will instantly recognise. Tickets are still available from Ticketmaster and you would be silly to miss it.

EAT:

Taste of Auckland's delicious dishes. Photo / Instagram

Taste of Auckland is back for another year and it's always my favourite food festival to discover Kiwi artisan growers and producers with like-minded foodies. Opening today and running until Sunday at Queen's Wharf, Taste offers a selection of pop-up bars and all sorts of delicious morsels to whet your appetite. There is something for everyone with Italian, modern yum cha, raw foods, Greek, contemporary French, Russian, Southern American food and more. Last year I chowed down on some super fancy and scrumptious Sarladaise fries while enjoying the long spring evening with some epic bands playing. It's a good time.

LISTEN:

Dr. Death podcast by Wondery.

The last person you'd expect to try to hurt you would be your doctor, right? Wrong. Dr Death is one of my favourite podcasts at the moment and it's pretty much your worst nightmare. The craziest part of this story? It is 100 per cent true. I don't want to give too much away but it's basically about a deranged neurosurgeon who ruins dozens of lives. If you were hooked on Dirty John, you'll love this one which is made by the same team, Wondery. Dr Death also exposes a wider institutional problem within the American medical system and how it has failed to protect patients. Scary times. You can find Dr Death on iTunes.