The Dish: World famous in NZ

Coffee Cremets from My little Chocolate book. Photo / Supplied

Patriotic foodies will love the new website tastesfromaroundnewzealand. Owner Karen Pervan is passionate about locally produced food and inspired by all the passionate people out there creating artisan food products.

Wanting to share her passion, she has carefully sourced the yummiest and scrummiest things from around the country and set up her website so you can buy the goodies from her instead of having to source them yourself.

From chilli macadamia nuts grown on the Kaipara in Northland to apricot and manuka shortbread from Central Otago, Karen has the country covered. You can even buy the 2009 Supreme Award-winning sausages (mango and chilli chicken) from Peter Timbs Butchery in Christchurch.

The good oil

Most people head to Waiheke Island to try their award-winning wines. But this Pacific paradise is also home to some award-winning olive oils. This weekend sample a few, and some wine if you wish, along with delicious food (think fresh oysters, paella, pizza) at the annual Waiheke Olive Festival. Set in the gardens of the beautiful Rangihoua Estate, you can taste the sunshine of summer in the oil, while being entertained by the island's talented jazz artists Briar Ross, The Red Herrings and the Waiheke Old Farts Jazz Orchestra.

* Saturday November 21 and Sunday 22 at Rangihoua Estate, 1 Gordons Rd, Waiheke Island. $5 entry donation. Children under 12 free. No BYO.

A good brew

When it comes to fine dining, we all naturally think of fine wine. But tomorrow night Geoff Scott and his team at Vinnies Restaurant are cleverly combining their expertise in the kitchen with the beers from craft brewers Monteith's. The evening will feature canapes followed by two courses, and discussions with Geoff Scott, Monteith's Brewery manager Tony Mercer and Monteith's beer professor Beth Park. $125 per person. To book, ph (09) 376 5597. Vinnies Restaurant, 166 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay.

A quick drink

We've had pop-up fashion stores and pop-up homeware stores; well now there's a pop-up bar. The old Birdcage in Freemans Bay has been taken over by a group of movers and shakers (including Simon Pound and the owner of Dirty Records, Callum August) and will be open until the end of January only. Neighbour Russel Green, who owns the fabulous Shanghai Lil's bar is working closely with the team to ensure this corner of the inner- city becomes the hot spot to be in over the summer months. There are also plans to set up other pop-up bars around town. So don't snooze or you'll lose on this one.

I just can't get enough

If you have an insatiable appetite for chocolate, then My Little Chocolate Book ($29.99: Murdoch Books) is a must. We love its cute size and the fact that it has 80 fabulous recipes showing that you can get your sweet fix in so many, delicious ways. From the simplest chocolate sauce to chocolate ricotta tart, chocolate meringue kisses, souffles, truffles and eclairs... it's chocolate heaven!