Libby Nicholson-Moon takes a food lover's adventure tour.
It's on a crisp winter's day, and Lynn Huhtala, the owner and operator of Finding Flavour, and her assistant Tuovi Peach, welcome our group of seven on board their tour bus.
First stop is the Otara markets, where an ethnic melting pot of stallholders and shoppers mingle and bustle for bargains. Our market guide, Melissa Cole, explains the produce and offers tips on cooking with Pacific Island vegetables. Twenty minutes later, Lynn orders us coffees from the Atomic coffee cart, and we taste some of the freshly made island delicacies. At Fresh Gallery I stock up on chillies, lemons and limes, all at amazing prices.
Next stop is Takanini, and MasterChef judge Simon Gault's upmarket importing business, Sous Chef, which offers artisan products from around the globe. Gault, who is every bit as charming and approachable as his TV persona, explains his products (complete with recipe suggestions) and offers us samples before inviting us into the warehouse.
My shopping bag now includes Italian cheese, cherry balsamic vinegar and smoked paprika. I'm in foodie heaven, and we're only at the second venue.