The MasterChef champagne corks will be popping tonight - but will they be loudest in Arrowtown or Maketu?

Our stereotyped image of the Italian restaurant is bustle, informality, cheerful clamour and theatrical accents.

A spectacular showcase of flavours from Hawkes Bay launches the winter, writes Catherine Smith.

The menu was packed with an array of French, gourmet brunch options.

Women in the industry say the glass ceiling of the kitchen boys' club was broken through in the 90s, but Brendan Manning explores why high-profile female chefs are still noticeably absent.

In just six months, Japanese eatery Masu by Nic Watt has outshone local competitors to be served the supreme award in the 2014 Restaurant of the Year Awards.

Parents trying to buy healthy food for their young children are being hampered by high levels of artificial additives, long lists of ingredients and confusing health claims on packaging, according to research published today.

Smelly-vision is coming to town to promote a new TV cooking show. The aroma of freshly cooked meals will waft through shopping centres to draw attention to TV2's new season of My Kitchen Rules, the hit Aussie cooking show due to premiere on May 5.

Restaurateurs have been quietly watching what you eat, collating a new report on the hottest trends in dining out. Here's a sneak preview, courtesy of Joanna Mathers.

We'd been meaning to try Cazador on Dominion Rd ever since we'd heard that this was one of Auckland's iconic family restaurants. It

Industrial-look cafes, roadside dining and music may create atmosphere at hospitality hotspots - but according to audiology professionals the loud noise may be turning diners away.

It is called one of the most disgusting and terrifying foods, and has been featured on Fear Factor and Survivor.

I don't drink coffee, I don't like coffee and I don't understand the fascination with this bitter concoction, writes Shelley Bridgeman.

These cakes are "for people with a sweet tooth but a strong stomach," explains British baker nicknamed Annabel Lecter.

Check out a few of the gruesome 100% edible cakes and treats baked by Annabel de Vetten at Conjurer's Kitchen.

If you want top quality hot cross buns at a good price, you may be best to make them yourself.

A morning spent on maths, spelling or reading. Or eating 21 icecreams.

There will have been cheers all round at Queenstown's Amisfield winery after William and Kate popped in on Sunday.

You don't need to know anything about nutrition to eat healthy, writes Dave Shaw. I'm reminded of this every time I visit my friend's family farm in Ararua, just north of Auckland.