Fresh Reads

Every year, around about now, the onslaught begins. Your inbox fills with emails promising massive savings. Ads are relentless, shouting “DON’T MISS OUT!” like the world will end if you don’t buy a cheap air fryer by midnight. And for a while there, Eatlocal jumped on the Black Friday bandwagon. We worked out what we thought we wouldn't mind losing, designed the graphics, posted them all over our socials, and hoped that maybe it would feel like a good fit. It never really did

Every now and then, a product comes along that makes you stop and go, “Ooh, that’s a bit special.” Shandy’s Elderflower Cordial and Elderflower Fizz are exactly that - handmade in small batches using the kind of simple, handed-down methods that just work. Sharon & Andy Sharon and Andy (the “ Sh-Andy ” behind the name) live on their family farm in Sheffield, out in the Selwyn District. A few years back, they decided to start sharing the family recipes and products they’d enjoy

How fabulous is spring? The longer daylight hours, the air scented with the aroma of freshly-cut grass, and the vibrant green leaves with all their shiny newness. Not to mention the bright, colourful, fresh fruit and veges bursting with flavour. Move over, hearty stews and root vegetables - it's time for crunchy salads and lighter meals! Buying seasonal produce means fresher, better-tasting food that’s also kinder on your wallet and the planet. Fewer food miles, less packagin

After trying to place an order with Parisettes Gourmet Dressings and coming up against a few roadblocks, I decided to give them a ring to find out what was happening. What I learned really saddened me. After more than twenty years in business,  Parisettes has closed its doors for good. When I spoke to the owner, I told him I’d really miss their dressings. He chuckled and said: “ I’m under a bit of pressure at home too ...” meaning his family was probably going to nag him t