The dish: Turning Japanese

Sachie's Kitchen in Parnell gives foodies a chance to brush up on their culinary skills by learning a new kind of cuisine. Photo / Supplied

The latest addition to the growing food precinct on and around Parnell's St Georges Bay Rd is Japanese cooking school, Sachie's Kitchen. The delightful Sachie Nomura and her husband Nick Siu have created a top-notch facility with four fully-equipped mobile cooking stations in a light and airy space. There are a choice of six menu courses for the classes, which run for about 2.5 hours and aim to make the preparation of simple and fresh Japanese food accessible for everybody. Nomura says the couple started the school to contribute something back to the community and provide a "gateway to Asia". And every time you take a class or purchase something from the Kitchen, a donation is made to Nourish the Children.

Delicious and good for your conscience. Classes are $85, ph (09) 302 7680.

Honour our hospitality heroes

Voting closes 4pm today (12 May) for the prestigious Lewisham Foundations Awards. Now in its 9th year, the Lewisham Awards have become the mark of peer recognition in the Auckland hospitality scene. The "cream of the crop" in Auckland's hospitality industry are honoured for their outstanding commitment to this exciting and vibrant business in our city. Cast your vote online by visiting the link above.

A meaty read

If you enjoy a good foodie read, then check out Blood, Bones & Butter- The inadvertent education of a reluctant chef. This is the memoir of Gabrielle Hamilton, chef and owner of Prune restaurant in New York Village and one of America's most recognised chefs whose writing has appeared in The New York Times and magazines such as GQ, Bon Appetit and Saveur. The story - which is both brutally honest and entertaining - follows her life from growing up with bohemian parents who threw grand parties, to backpacking around Europe and the trials and tribulations of working in the food industry in the Big Apple. $34.99, published by Chatto & Windus.

A taste of luxury

If you love champagne and have a penchant for the good things in life - and who doesn't - then the Louis Roederer Champagne dinner at Cape Kidnappers on Saturday May 28 might just be for you. A night at this luxury lodge is a truly incredible experience. For $800 per person you'll not only enjoy the exclusive five-course degustation hosted by the chief executive of Eurovintage, Brett Newall, you'll also receive a bottle of Louis Roederer in your room, along with either a round of golf on the world class course or a 50 minute massage, plus a full breakfast the next day. To find out more, ph (06) 875 1900 or email reservation@capekidnappers.com