SCHMID SMOKES
Charcuterie chef Jeremy Schmid (above) is a busy man. After selling his successful Dominion Rd bistro Two Fifteen, Schmid opened The Officers' Mess, a wedding venue perched on the clifftops of the North Shore's Narrowneck Beach, which is open for brunch on Sundays, and now Thursday night dining.
He's also just released his second cook book Smoked ($45, New Holland), an ode to the perfect confluence of wood and fire that is smoking. An insight into how to flavour, cure and prepare meat, seafood, fruit, vegetables and even dairy products, Schmid guides the wannabe smoker through the differences between cold and hot smoking, educates on equipment and wood choices, and includes a selection of delicious recipes to try with your new found skills. Genius.
THE ART OF CAKE promises to be quite the spectacle, as local cake bakers go frosting-to-sponge for the title of Auckland's best cake artist, with the launch event taking place at 6pm tonight, at Shore City, Takapuna, and the cakes on display until August 28. May the best-dressed cake win.
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