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Dropping a teaspoon of caviar in your champagne may not sound terribly appetising, but when it's made from chambord it's simply divine. The little pearls of raspberry liqueur burst on your tongue, creating a mini kir royale in your mouth. It's all part of Pasha's new molecular mixology range - to be unveiled tomorrow evening - which uses a process of "spherification" to create alcoholic caviar, ravioli and jelly. Pasha is part of the Nourish Group which includes Viaduct restaurant Euro where chef Simon Gault is also experimenting with molecular gastronomy.
Pure as ice
Bottled water mania knows no bounds. The latest version to cross our desk is berg, made from you know what. Sourced from North Atlantic icebergs, the water's journey is said to date back over 15,000 years to when the glaciers of Greenland broke off into the sea. The taste is light and clean and the water understandably pure, with little mineral matter. It costs $4.50 for 500ml and is available from Aquadeli, ph (09) 638 7347.
Jafas in the queue
Bluff oysters are proving hard to get this season, though the bivalves are some of the best in years. Supplies to Auckland restaurants and retail outlets have been patchy and The Dish has been phoning round to check if there are any on the menu. Head to Hamilton, we were advised by a disgruntled restaurant worker, who reckons all the publicity about getting the first of the season up to Auckland has led to a Jafa backlash, with the southerners supplying anyone south of the Bombays first. A good story, but we're hoping more supplies will be forthcoming because our sources say the problem has been getting the boats out into the treacherous Foveaux Strait.
Harbour hoedown
The fifth Auckland Wine and Food Festival will be held at Viaduct Harbour on the weekend of April 5-6. Entertainment is part of the event and this year will include Elvis, Neil Diamond and Freddie Mercury impersonators, and New Zealand's Debbie Harwood. The first 2500 visitors each day will receive a free eco-bag to take home all their goodies. Onecard holders can buy tickets for $15 from any Auckland Foodtown or Woolworths supermarket until the end of this month. Tickets can also be bought online from www.aucklandwineandfoodfestival.com or for $20 at the gate.
G'day cuzzies
The GDay NZ Australia Week 2008 will feature the Rosemount Great Australian Lunch, a gourmet extravaganza that showcases Australia through its wine, beer and food. You can join this adults-only celebration - which includes a performance from Tim Finn - on May 2 from noon to 3pm at Te Wero Island, Auckland Viaduct. Tickets are $75 from Ticketek.
Green grapes
Winegrowers are being given the tools to calculate their carbon footprint. In a partnership with industry groups in Australia, California and South Africa, a protocol and calculation tool has been developed. It is free on the New Zealand Winegrowers website and CEO Philip Gregan says the industry aims to have all our grapes and wine produced sustainably by 2012.
Home help
The Low GI Family Cookbook is a new recipe book to help inspire you to feed the whole family healthy recipes. If you're trying to switch to a healthier way of eating, make it a family affair. Published by Hachette Livre's Headline division at $39.99.
Foodie fest
Food Show fans can wait for the event to come to Auckland in August, or if they're really keen head to Wellington in May. Dates and drawcards have been announced and include Australian-based French chef Gabriel Gate joining the demonstration line-up, along with local food writer Lauraine Jacobs. Visit www.foodshow.co.nz for more information.
WIN
Gregg's has gone all glassy on us. As well as glass packaging for its herbs and spices - which helps keep the flavour longer and are teaspoon-friendly - there's also a new range including Smoked Spanish Seasoning and Smoked Paprika.
We have a selection of Gregg's herbs and spices and a spice rack to give away. There's also a top-of-the-range Breville toastie maker and juice fountain with a value of $450 in the prize pack.
To enter, write your name, address and phone number on the back of a postcard or envelope and send to: Gregg's Herbs and Spices Giveaway, Viva, New Zealand Herald, PO Box 3290, Auckland. Entries close April 2, winner announced April 9.
- STAFF AND AGENCIES
