The Dish: In the best of company

Small but fantastic: Cafe De Brett. Picture / Babiche Martens

Alex Mackay is making a big name for himself overseas. The New Zealander has won the British Guild of Food Writers Award for Cookery Journalist of the Year. He is in august company - previous winners include Gordon Ramsay and Claudia Roden.

Mackay left Wellington at 19 and worked in kitchens at two-star Michelin restaurants in France before running Raymond Blanc's cooking school at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. In Provence he set up his own cooking school, considered one of the world's 10 best. His experiences there were the basis for his book, Cooking in Provence.

Mackay is now based near Oxford and spends his time writing, working in television, and teaching, often with Delia Smith.

Small is beautiful

If nothing but the best coffee will do, check out one of Auckland's newest and most chic little spots, Cafe De Brett. Although the Shortland St cafe is small it makes a first-class long black or latte, with Ciro's Spanish blend. It's on our top-five list. We love the interior too - chocolate brown, reds and white.

Service toute de suite

Whangaparaoa cafe and deli Gusto! has started a text'n toot coffee service. You can text your coffee or food order - toasted paninis and danish pastries are on the menu - and roll up a few minutes later to find it waiting for you. Pre-paid coffee cards are available too so you don't even have to get your wallet out. Hopefully Auckland cafes might follow suit.

The text'n toot number is 021 752 161.