KEY POINTS:
Fancy something soft and squidgy, a hard-nut, or a whiffy foreign-type? Then make a date for March 7, and size up the room.
All this and more will be on offer as the Champion Cheese Awards extend its menu, with a public day after the Auckland awards ceremony. CheeseFest on Wednesday, March 7, from 5pm-7.30pm is your chance to sample entries to the annual awards, with a glass of wine and live music.
Organisers promise the biggest collection of New Zealand cheese assembled in one room. Sample cheddars, blue cheeses, bries, Dutch-styles, goat and sheep milk cheeses, washed rind cheeses and, of course, the winning cheeses from the previous day's event. Cheese-makers will be on hand to answer questions and a cash bar will be available.
Tickets are $35, plus booking fee. Book through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.co.nz) or by calling 0800 111 999.
Loaf logic
Kiwi favourite Vogel's has brought out its popular loaves in three new flavours, jazzed up the packaging on its classic range, and also added GI ratings. Try Sundried Tomato and Basil, or Wholegrain Mustard sandwich loaves, for a subtle flavour twist to an old favourite. The other new variety is Ancient Grains, a loaf that adds four super-grains - white millet, amaranth, quinoa and spelt - to the original recipe.
Available in supermarkets and dairies.
Easy on the oil
A 99 per cent oil-free Balsamic Dressing is new from Cotterill & Rouse. The New Zealand company has responded to market demand for healthy and tasty dressings with this mix of balsamic vinegar, roasted garlic and fresh basil. Ideal for tossing through salads or with tomatoes and feta. Try it as a meat marinade.
From supermarkets, recommended price $5.95.
Cotterill & Rouse has also cut the oil - and the mess - from its new jars of sun-dried tomatoes. Marinated and ready sliced, they can be used as salad pickles or added to your pasta sauce. $6.95 a jar from supermarkets.
