The Dish: Food Show finds

The funniest sight at last weekend's Food Show was the number of people weaving about the stands with their wheelie bags. No, they didn't think they were at the airport, they were just prepared and therefore able to load up with all the freebies and bargains on offer while still keeping their hands free for more tastings!

The Viva team also braved the crowd, but we were a bit more select in our findings. Here are our favourites ...

With strict but simple cooking instructions, from Tim at the Neat Meat stand, the Firstlight wagyu steak scotch portion lived up to the company's six-star fine dining rating. It is produced in Hawkes Bay from cattle fed entirely on grain which results in the amazing marbling effect, and served in some of Auckland's top restaurants.

Here at Viva we are fans of anything from Cathedral Cove Macadamias - we love their muesli, their paste, and the sprinkles perfect for adding crunch to fish. At the Food Show, we couldn't go past the oh-so-moreish Honey Macadamias. For more details visit cathedralcovemacadamias.co.nz.

Thanks to a unique processing system Omega Seafoods from Golden Bay in Nelson can supply clams and mussels that taste almost as though you'd gathered them from the beach yourself. After being bathed in natural sea water to release any grit, they are vacuum-sealed and cooked under pressure at a high temperature. This helps keep in the natural flavours, and when you open the bag the shells gently open so they be can eaten straight away or added to a paella or pasta dish. Fantastic. Go to omegaseafood.com to find your nearest stockist.

The good people at All Good Organics won our hearts with their Fairtrade Bananas - sourced from small farms in El Guabo, Ecuador, and sold in New World, Pak'n Save and various independent stores. All Good also imports the special organic Misiluki banana from the Women in Business Co-operative in Samoa. This little lady finger banana is available at Harvest and Huckleberry Farms, and at the Food Show they were sampling a new product which will hit the shelves soon - organic dried bananas from Samoa. Delicious and healthy.

A shot of Kokako organic coffee was a much-needed boost when fighting the crowds, along with a nibble on some of their delicious banana loaf (made with All Good bananas, of course) and their scrummy bliss balls. From his cafe in Parnell, Kokako's main man Mike Murphy has been quietly building a reputation for sustainable, organic coffee, hot chocolate and good food. Two fans are Jeremy Turner and Clinton Henry of Cibo restaurant, who loved the cafe so much they have just bought it! Give them a visit at 492 Parnell Rd, or check out their exciting pop-up Kokako cafe this week at 10-12 Federal St in the city. This is definitely coffee on the go. See kokako.co.nz for more information.