KEY POINTS:
It's time for the hospitality industry to honour their best with this year's fifth annual Lewisham Awards.
Nominations are now open for the 16 categories from outstanding restaurateur, maitre d', sommelier and barista through to bartender.
The awards are announced at SkyCity on May 27.
For more information go to lewishamawards.co.nz .
Garden party
Verde, an elegant garden centre-cum-espresso bar, has moved from Barrys Point Rd to a lovely old brick bungalow in Takapuna where extra room has allowed the introduction of homewares to an eclectic mix of topiary trees, orchids, vases, candles and coffee and cake.
We liked the planters, angola throws and soft toys. Verde, 415 Lake Rd, Ph (09) 486-5052 or verde.net.nz
Make like a lazy lizard
Hospitality workers will be the core crowd at a new monthly get-together at Toto starting this Sunday and every first Sunday of the month.
The Lazy Lizard sessions start from 3pm with laidback beats, nibbles and drinks in the Bella Vista room, and later the Montecristo room.
For details, call event promoter Ivan Fornasari 021-718502.
Festival fun
Get along to this weekend's Auckland Wine and Food Festival at the Viaduct Harbour.
A $20 ticket gets you in, a glass and food sampling at more than 40 stalls, plus all-day entertainment on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
Among the workshops will be sessions run by chefs and the Langham hotel's sommelier Josselin de Gesincourt.
Tickets at the gate, from sponsors Foodtown or Woolworths stores, or online at aucklandwineandfoodfestival.com
Sweet!
The Chocolate Boutique in Parnell has Easter gift boxes, featuring a 200g Belgian chocolate egg surrounded by smaller eggs and bunnies, that come in one variety of chocolate only.
Choose from white, dark, bitter sweet or milk chocolate for $29.95.
Phone (09) 377 8550.
Guilt-free Easter
Instead of overdosing on chocolate and hotcross buns this Easter, for $25 you can buy a gift of 10 chickens from ChildFund for an overseas family in need.
The chooks will provide a family with eggs to eat and sell, plus breeding stock.
Check out ChildFund's Gifts That Grow on childfund.org.nz/catalogue or phone 0800 223-111.
Island best
Island Hampers offers a taste of Waiheke in gift wooden hampers of all sizes.
Best boutique produce is brought together, including the island's olive oil, chutneys, jams, spreads, chemical-free soaps and even art work.
The company will tailor hampers and will put together wedding packages so guests can take something special home.
Phone (09) 372 9847 or see islandhampers.co.nz.
