The Dish: Quack, quack

Breakfast in Bed jute bag from Ripe. Photo / Supplied

The passionate foodies at La Zeppa have teamed up with Gameford Lodge - suppliers of succulent ducks - in what will be the first of a series of collaborations with artisan food producers. Throughout May there will be a tasting platter on the menu with duck cooked four different ways, plus there will be cooking demonstrations and a sharing of recipes. 33 Drake St, Freemans Bay. www.lazeppa.co.nz

Bags that

Here's a cool gift idea for Mother's Day - give her a Breakfast in Bed jute bag from Ripe full of everything she'll need for a delicious start to the day. Valued at $45 it includes the weekend paper, a 250g bag of Altezano coffee, two fresh croissants, a jar of fruit preserve and a Tully Gardener biodegradable pot with a Lemon Thyme herb plant. Ripe Deli, 172 Richmond Rd, Ponsonby. Ph: (09) 360 6159.

Fancy a cuppa?

How about taking mum to the Twinings Mother's Day Afternoon Tea at the Grand Tearoom at the Heritage Auckland hotel? Allyson Gofton will share secrets from her new book Bake and helping raise awareness for the Nurture Foundation which aims to find new ways to predict and prevent reproductive problems and help couples who have difficulty conceiving. Tickets $50. Ph: 0800 842 538.

Meanwhile, across town at the Skycity Convention Centre, Suzanne Paul, fashion designer Denise L'Estrange-Corbet, and media mavens Kerre Woodham, Mary Lambie and Wendyl Nissen will be chatting about their favourite books at what is bound to be a hilarious event, Tarts for Tea, organised by Paper Plus. $40. Tickets can be booked at www.booksandbubbles.co.nz or in store at Paper Plus.