NOT YOUR STANDARD BREAKFAST
Weekend farmers' market fare needn't be the soul preserve of the artisan sausage. From this weekend onwards, Cocoloco will be debuting their delicious coconut breakfast parfaits at the Mt Albert and Grey Lynn markets, serving coconut bircher muesli straight from the nut. Bircher muesli is soaked in Cocoloco's coconut water, combined with raw nuts, chia seeds, cinnamon, coconut flakes and apple, topped with coconut yoghurt and a rhubard compote. We especially love how this beauty of a healthy breakfast is served in a coconut. Check out the breakfast parfait at the Mt Albert market on Saturday and the Grey Lynn market on Sunday. $10 each, cocoloco.co.nz.
IN CONVERSATION WITH ...
Are you a regular fixture on Auckland's dining scene? Are you the first to know when the chef at your favourite restaurant has tweaked their menu ever so slightly? You might just be the perfect candidate to attend the first of The Viva Sessions, an evening where Viva's Eating Out Editor Nici Wickes talks to three of Auckland's promising young chefs and restaurateurs about what it takes to stand out from the crowd.
Tom Hishon (Head Chef and owner of Orphans Kitchen), Damaris Coulter (owner of Coco's Cantina) and Hayden McMillan (Head Chef of Provenance) will all be in attendance, as Wickes breaks down kitchen barriers and encourages frank conversations about all things food. It's a fast-paced, exciting time for Auckland's hospitality industry, and being in the know about dining out seems to be the latest cultural currency. On Tuesday September 23 at 6pm, at the Viaduct Harbour's Maritime Museum, the evening offers up an insider's look at what makes three buzzing local restaurants tick.
• Tickets cost $45 per person and are selling fast. Purchase them at viva.co.nz/sessions.
FOODIE FOCUS
Auckland's food literate would do well to book tickets to this year's Taste of Auckland. As well as local chef master classes and a GH Mumm Champagne marquee, a group of international experts will take part, educating guests on the finer points of food and wine. A highlight looks set to be The Plumm Wine Theatre, hosted by Matt Skinner, smooth-talking Australian sommelier and co-founder, with Jamie Oliver, of Fifteen restaurant. Wine knowledge will be built upon, there will be tastings and, afterwards, you can feast on all the goodies Taste of Auckland has to offer. Tickets cost between $25 and $95, from tasteofauckland.co.nz.
