Waikato Food Inc

"The best way to understand Emilia-Romagna’s impact on Italian culture is to travel across it, tasting wines, visiting artisans and exploring cities where fine food and craftsmanship are a way of life. Here, wine doesn’t accompany food; it completes it. “Made in Emilia-Romagna” means made with patience, purpose and pride. The region is more than Italy’s pantry—it is its soul. And each stop on a journey through it reveals a unique expression of this remarkable part of the world." this quote from an article in Wine Enthusiast titled The Heart of the Italian Boot sums up perfectly why you need to come with us on our Taste of Emilia Romagna tour in June!
A link to their full article can be found at the end of our feature on Bologna here https://tasteoftours.com/2025/02/19/a-taste-of-emilia-romagna/

Looking for a foodie adventure in 2026?
Check out award winning Taste of Tours!
Taste of Croatia with in June with Vicki Ravlich-Horan and Julie Le Clerc
Taste of South Australia with Julia and Andrew Clarke
or Taste of Sri Lanka with Emma Galloway in July. Spaces filling fast!

Announced: We're reviewing red tape affecting hospitality, and we want to hear from you.

Restaurants, bars, cafes, food trucks, hotels – these businesses employ 145,000 people, they bring life to our towns, and they've worked valiantly to bounce back after Covid. But red tape and dumb rules make things harder than they should be.

For example, some business owners might be required to get resource consents on top of alcohol licenses, so that customers can enjoy a cold beer in sun. In other areas of the country just an alcohol license is required.

In a hotel with an alcohol license, a guest can purchase a glass of wine in the bar but they cannot take the glass to their room. It just doesn’t make sense. That same guest can purchase a bottle of wine from the supermarket to drink in their room.

Local councils put disproportionate costs on small food truck owners to operate at events. We heard frustration at extensive council paperwork requirements, inspections, and various fees totalling over $900, for one event.

It should be easy to open a hospo business, employ staff, and serve paying customers. So the Ministry for Regulation is now hearing submissions on what rules to fix.

If your local is affected by dumb rules, I hope you'll make a submission. You can find the link below.

In the kitchen for the last Palate Soup Kitchen this Sunday from 12 noon is the wonderful Andy from The Keg Room with is Sri Lankan Mulligatawny and Joe from Palate with a Mushroom and Parmesan creation.
Frozen take away soups (2 for $30) also available.
We'd love to see you there and have us raise as much money as possible for Go Eco.
HUGE thanks to SkyCity Hamilton for their sponsorship which means every single cent you pay for your soup goes to Go Eco!!

This Sunday's souperb chefs cooking at the .nz Soup Kitchen raising funds for are -
Harry Willi@redbarnnz ) – Smoked Artichoke & Watercress
Lisa Quarrie ( ) – Roasted butternut & carrot soup with tahini and tamari pumpkin seeds (Vegan / Gluten Free)
We also have frozen takeaway soups (variety of flavours) 2 for $30
See you this Sunday from 12noon

HUGE thanks to for their sponsorship and [email protected] for their support

Join the two Mat's for a night of great food & Wine.
https://palaterestaurant.co.nz/events/

Make Sundays souperb this August with the Palate Soup Kitchen.
A bowl of soup created by one of the 10 amazing local chefs will cost you just $25 but every cent will go to Go Eco Food Rescue programme.
Each Sunday 2 different chefs will be in the kitchen.
Open from 12 - 2 (unless sold out earlier)
HUGE thanks to SkyCity Hamilton for sponsoring this awesome initiative and to The Grumpy Baker and for Chefs for their support.

Matt Mclean Thyme Square Hayes Common Andrew Clarke The Keg Room The Lookout Bar and Kitchen Mr. Pickles Bar & Eatery

Sicily this September? Join Taste of Tours for their small group bespoke food tour.

Looking for a fabulous foodie getaway? A grape escape? Join Taste of Tours South Australian tour with chef and owner of Palate Mat McLean and hostess with the mostess, Julia Clarke (Wine and Dine with Jules) joining Vicki from nourish on the November trip.
For more details email [email protected]

One of my favourite events to run!

I love the energy the eateries bring,
I love their passion to create an unforgettable experience,
and most of all I love the look on everyone’s faces when we surprise and entertain them!
Come join me on Thursday 23rd March 🥳🥳
Also maybe, book a late start at work on the Friday 😉

https://events.humanitix.com/cbd-progressive-dinner-march-2023