The Food Show hitlist

Chocolate fountain at Delmaine's, and icy cocktail mixes. Pictures / Glenn Jeffrey

The Food Show makes gluttons of us all. Auckland's sixth annual show held at the showgrounds over the weekend was sensory overload. And, as it was our duty to try just about all the samples, we really shouldn't complain about not being able to eat for days after.

Here's our hitlist.

Best gadget

You're allowed to smoke inside with Anuka's electric hot smoker ($299). It does all the obvious things such as seafood and chicken as well as cheese, vegetables and nuts.

Best deli offerings

We must be addicted to smoking. La Bella Italia's smoked mozzarella is a treat ($5.95 for 100g) from Albany's Sapori d'Italia. We couldn't tear ourselves away from this stand. And the feta-filled pepperdews ($5.95 for 100g) were as good as they looked.

Marks for trying

The things people try and wring oil out of. Hemp seed oil is the latest. Obvious jokes aside, Hemega3 is apparently a good source of Omega 3 and 6. Definitely an acquired taste but may go down well in the west. www.hemega3.co.nz

Willy Wonka award

Instead of one of those champagne waterfalls, a chocolate fountain is the latest kitsch centrepiece at any wedding, engagement party or anniversary. Guests can dip skewered marshmallows into the flow of chocolate. Seen on a couple of stands. www.chocolatefountainhire.co.nz

Best tipple

We spent some time at the Blackwood's Vintage Gin stand. The man was so charming. And the vintage gin made from hand-gathered botanicals from the Shetland Islands north of Scotland wasn't bad either. $43 for 700ml from Liquorland Parnell and selected liquor outlets.

Best local flavour

Top marks to Pacific Harvest for doing amazing things with seaweed. The company harvests karengo, New Zealand's own nori, kelp and sea salt. We loved the shaker of lime kelp ($8.10 for 60g). Delicious as a seasoning on meat, chicken and barbecued anything. www.pacificharvest.co.nz

Cocktail hour honour

The latest way to do cocktails is in a bag or plastic bucket. So convenient. All you do is add the alcohol, freeze it, then drink the margarita, daiquiri or pina colada. Saves on the washing up. Ice Republic do bags for $14.95 from New World Victoria Park. Urban Thirst do buckets for $20 from gift stores.

Extreme makeover

Vogel's has done the food equivalent of making a silk purse out of a sow's ear by taking the humble rolled oat, adding peaches and cream or manuka honey and apricot and putting the result in flash new boxes. Much nicer. $5.99 from supermarkets.