Latest from Food & Beverage Industry

Michele Hewitson interview: Lauraine Jacobs
Lauraine Jacobs, the reigning queen of the foodie scene, is hosting a Writers Festival lunch, on May 18, with Josh Emett. It has sold out, so the plug is not needed, but she'll give the festival one anyway.

Wendyl Nissen: A snack food without helpings on guilt
I was alerted to these by my daughter, who had them at a friend's house and said they were "yum". I've got nothing against teenage girls snacking on chicken - protein is good.

Jamie Oliver's butchery closed
Jamie Oliver's exclusive butcher's shop had to temporarily close after inspectors found serious hygiene problems including mouse droppings, mould on carcasses and out-of-date wagyu beef.

Nestle coffee challenge grows after merger
For Nestle, life at the top of the $81 billion coffee market just got more difficult.

Cadbury melts over trademark
A decision from the High Court at Wellington last month found in favour of Whittaker's, dismissing a bid by Cadbury to stop it from registering the trademark "Berry Forest".

Z aims to freeze out rivals
Z Energy is forecasting a boost in earnings this year and is set to roll out its latest weapon in the cut-throat battle of the forecourt - frozen yoghurt.

Seafood sisters reel in MasterChef title
Seafood-loving sisters Kasey and Karena Bird last night celebrated their MasterChef victory with family and friends at a marae.

Making choc, coffee magic
Rich coffee aromas wafted through the air and some of the world's top chocolate was made available at this year's Chocolate and Coffee Show.

Monteith's brews export success
Monteith's craft beers and ciders are making a splash overseas with a 14 per cent increase in export sales predicted for the 2014 year, says owner DB Breweries.

Women battle to make cut as top chefs
Women in the industry say the glass ceiling of the kitchen boys' club was broken through in the 90s, but Brendan Manning explores why high-profile female chefs are still noticeably absent.

New Auckland restaurant takes top prize
In just six months, Japanese eatery Masu by Nic Watt has outshone local competitors to be served the supreme award in the 2014 Restaurant of the Year Awards.

Goodman bid tip of merger iceberg
Singapore's Wilmar International and Hong Kong's First Pacific have launched a A$1.27 billion ($1.38 billion) joint takeover bid for Australasian food group Goodman Fielder.

Cold food becoming a hot trend
Restaurateurs have been quietly watching what you eat, collating a new report on the hottest trends in dining out. Here's a sneak preview, courtesy of Joanna Mathers.

No dinner date? This is your restaurant
A new restaurant in Amsterdam is catering for solo dinners only - no families, couples or annoying gangs of laughing friends.

Shelley Bridgeman: What's all the froth over coffee?
I don't drink coffee, I don't like coffee and I don't understand the fascination with this bitter concoction, writes Shelley Bridgeman.

Burger prices and the minimum wage
Economists love hamburgers - specifically fast-food burgers, because the sandwich makes a handy yardstick for international financial comparisons.

Georgie Pie helps lift sales at McDonald's
McDonald's New Zealand had a 5.8 percent gain in sales in 2013, the year it relaunched the Georgie Pie brand after a decade-long hiatus.

Cathay cooks 31.7m meals
Cathay Pacific's catering operations at Chep Lap Kok in Hong Kong last year produced 31.7 million meals for 41 international airlines.

Kiwi cafe firm targets America
Cooks Global Foods, the New Zealand franchisor of the Esquires cafe chain in markets outside Australasia, is poised for North American expansion.

Scrap over $109k food bill
The parent company of a firm that sold controversial currency trading software racked up a $109,000 debt for food and drink at a flash Auckland restaurant.

A little sprinkle ... and cheers
American drinkers will soon be able to sprinkle their favourite beverage rather than pouring it - as powdered alcohol drinks have been given official approval.

Easter treat all about the taste
If you want top quality hot cross buns at a good price, you may be best to make them yourself.