Hotteok from The Candy Shop

Up your breakfast game with the most delicious pancake dishes in Auckland

9 Jul 2020

Everybody has a soft spot for pancakes. It may not be your breakfast of choice but it is a dish that nobody could dislike. A stack of fluffy, spongy and warm flat cakes drizzled with sweet maple syrup and melted butter — what’s not to love? However, the number of cafes serving our beloved pancakes is dwindling. And while waffles and brioche French toast seem to be on the rise, we have rounded up the cafes in Auckland that continue to pay pancakes the respect they deserve.

Griddle cakes from Federal Delicatessen
Renowned for its poutine and Reuben sandwich, The Fed’s brunch menu often gets overlooked, which is a damn shame when it features some of the eatery’s best dishes, including griddle cakes. The soft cakes are loaded with blueberries and topped with blueberry compote for extra juiciness. The game changer on these pancakes is the addition of butter infused with cinnamon and the sprinkle of strudel crunch for added texture and a nutty aroma.

Gluten-free pancakes from Ozone
The team at Ozone know their way around an anything-but-boring brunch, and while the cabinet usually has any number of delectable baked treats to satisfy a sweet craving, the dine-in menu’s pancakes are worth a try. The default batter is gluten free, and is presented under a cloud of creamy labneh topped with stewed local quince and topped with Fijian dark chocolate crumble for textural contrast.

Buttermilk pancakes and hotteok from The Candy Shop
If you’re seeking pure indulgence, The Candy Shop’s buttermilk pancakes are for you. The plate is lined with sweet strawberry mascarpone and dollops of Nutella foam while the cakes themselves are garnished with coffee meringue, freeze-dried berries and candyfloss. And just when you think the decadence stops there, you’re given the option of adding a scoop of Duck Island ice cream and bacon. The Candy Shop also offers a Korean take on the breakfast staple with its hotteok. The batter is mixed with rice flour and slowly pan-fried for a crispy exterior while achieving a chewy texture inside. It’s filled with mixed seeds, nuts, brown sugar and cinnamon and served with a generous scoop of vanilla Duck Island.

20-minute pancakes from Domain & Ayr Cafe
The “good things take time,” is personified at this Parnell cafe. Staying true to their name, these pancakes require some patience but the end result makes it all worthwhile. Different from the usual stack we’re familiar with, this version is served as kind of pancake and soufflé hybrid making them light and as fluffy as a cloud.

Ricotta pancake from Honey Bones
Honey Bones may not serve the traditional tower of pancakes but it makes up for the lack of stack with a whole ricotta hotcake as thick as a whole sponge cake. Drenched in lemon curd and complemented with sweet, seasonal poached fruit, a large dollop of Greek yoghurt is also scooped on top to lend the hotcake some slightly-more-healthy creaminess.

Whole wheat pancakes from Kind
Situated in the popular Morningside precinct, Kind has built a reputation for itself as an eatery putting healthiness at the heart of its menu. You wouldn’t expect a nutritious cafe that features zero carb noodles and pulled jackfruit tacos to serve some of the tastiest pancakes in town but Kind has its pancake game down-pat. Its fluffy whole wheat cakes take inspiration from a comforting apple pie, accompanied by homely stewed apple, complemented with an apple cider caramel sauce, cinnamon and sprinkles of toasted pecans.

Coconut pancakes from Oak Eatery
With a batter that’s largely comprised of egg whites, Oak Eatery’s pancakes are like a tower of thick, plush clouds on your plate. Served with a side of cinnamon and vanilla-infused cream and slices of seasonal fruit to give the dish some natural sweetness, it’s a favourite amongst Royal Oak locals. The earl grey granola adds a floral-infused, crispy texture to the concoction, while coconut mascarpone adds even more creaminess.

Blueberry hotcake from Seabreeze
The friendly neighbourhood cafe has you sorted if a pancake craving strikes, offering a blueberry hotcake paired with mascarpone, banana, berries, and shaved chocolate. The perfect mix of healthy and decadent.

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Meet Toss Grumley, the business advisor behind some of New Zealand’s most well-known brands

8 Jul 2020

When we see a successful business or brand, rarely are we afforded a glimpse into the methods and contributors that have worked behind the scenes to make it so.

Goal-setting, strategy and planning don’t come naturally to everyone and chances are, if your strengths are more on the creative side of things, structure and accountability might not be your forte.

That’s where Toss Grumley comes in.

“I help people succeed”, says the business advisor and founder of growth business coaching and advisory firm Wolf & Fox.

Having started the company in 2015 when he was 25, Grumley made his first million at age 27 and now has a roster of 170 regular clients in its stable – the biggest group for a business advisor in New Zealand.

Typically working with small-to-medium-sized companies, Grumley advises owner-operated businesses across a wide variety of industries from legal to fashion, construction, professional services, retail and design.

Within this raft of clients are some of New Zealand’s most well-loved fashion, beauty and design brands, including Paris Georgia, Jasmin Sparrow, Lash Noir, Wynn Hamlyn and Tim Webber.

All are companies with ambitious brand-focused owners, and Toss Grumley’s modus operandi revolves around individually tailored strategies, which help build and grow businesses that fit these ambitions: “That usually involves making something more profitable,” says the advisor, who completed an MBA specialising in business coaching at Warwick Business School in the UK.

“I’ve always been passionate about business,” he enthuses. “I’ve always had a creative business mind, which has given me an ability to come up with innovative strategies and solutions across a wide variety of businesses and industries.”

When it comes to new clients, Grumley’s initial step is to create a full strategic plan, going over every aspect of the business. This includes looking at the unique selling proposition (or USP), goals, HR strategy, market analysis, strengths and weaknesses, marketing and financial forecasting.

From here, accountability templates are set up to give clients targets or goals to work on between quarterly meetings, where progress is reviewed.

“It’s a results-driven process and is heavy on accountability,” says Grumley. “I find this is the most effective way to build and maintain momentum.”

Rebecca Hutchinson, co-owner of leading beauty company Lash Noir, has worked with Wolf & Fox for several years and says without a doubt they have been the company’s best years in business.

“Toss balances some of our more risky moves that are creatively driven, and pushes back and encourages us to track return on investment in these areas,” she attests. “We both have incredibly high expectations and no ceiling on what we think is possible. I really thrive in that kind of thinking and it’s not often I meet or interact with someone on that wavelength.”

Recently, the pandemic threw up a huge number of barriers and challenges for local businesses, both large and small, with the economy still likely to be weathering the storm for some time.

Gratifyingly, many of Wolf & Fox’s clients have fared well over this period, especially those that took strong strategic actions early, and invested in e-commerce platforms and marketing.

One such business is jewellery label Jasmin Sparrow. Founder Jasmin Scott says Grumley has been instrumental to the growth and success of her business over the past 12 months, offering a fresh perspective, original ideas and fundamental structure. “Toss has given me real reassurance in my small business, a confidence I hadn’t had beforehand.”

Going from a self-described ‘one-man band working from home’ to leading a team and operating a showroom has been an advancement made possible by working with Grumley, says Scott, who has supported her in shifting into a management role and delegating tasks in order to focus on growth and the creative.

Proactivity is one of the most vital attributes for navigating through this time, says Grumley. “A soft market is not the time to fence-sit or expect the world to deliver an outcome to you,” he says. “You have to go out and take it.”

Customer connection is one of the most important aspects of brand success, pandemic or no. “Companies that have great brand equity and a loyal customer base have really flourished post-lockdown,” says Grumley. “Their consumers back them and have supported them heavily. This also means that any marketing undertaken actually converts much more efficiently across both service and retail businesses.”

As consumers, it’s second nature nowadays to do our own, thorough research before purchasing from or engaging with a brand. In order for said brand to come out on top, everything needs to hold up under sustained scrutiny. Good reviews, case studies, great imagery and product descriptions are all essential parts of marketing any product to buyers within the first instance.

“If you’re a business owner, put your customer hat on and think about how you make purchasing decisions, and whether you’re ticking all those boxes in your own business.”

Even in challenging times such as these, Toss Grumley remains optimistic about both his clients’ businesses, and other local businesses that are run by savvy operators.

“I think anyone who is being proactive and working hard has every opportunity to do well. Just because the market isn’t as certain, doesn’t mean your business can’t thrive,” he asserts. “What it does mean, is just that you as a business-owner need to be focused on doing more of the right stuff.”

wolfandfox.co.nz

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Bang Bang Kitchen is the bold, punchy new addition to Auckland Fish Market

8 Jul 2020

A brand new eatery is giving us yet another very appealing reason to head down to Auckland Fish Market.

Opening tomorrow, Bang Bang Kitchen centres on Asian-fusion flavours, garnering inspiration from Hawker markets in Singapore and Malaysia and distilling the moreish flavours into explosively fresh dishes.

Boasting an appealing culinary selection including six styles of dumplings, Peking duck by the half or whole and a signature lobster fried rice, Bang Bang Kitchen’s menu sings with the best local produce and the freshest seafood from its neighbours in the market.

The Peking Duck is a particular highlight, arriving with cucumber, pancakes, spring onion, hoisin & sambal.

Additionally, diners will find plenty to love with the likes of a hearty seafood laksa, prawn toast, coconut poached chicken salad, and the Bang Bang sashimi plate which incorporates ultra-fresh market fish, served with soy-mirin dressing, spring onion, lemongrass, chili and Thai basil.

The perfect place for those who crave vibrant, punchy flavours, textures and aromas, Bang Bang Kitchen is a welcome new addition to the bustling Wynyard Quarter venue.

Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday 11am — 8pm

Bang Bang
Auckland Fish Market
22 Jellicoe St, Freemans Bay
Auckland 1010

www.afm.co.nz/

Image credit: Yuki Sato, Clara Jane Follas

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Allpress Studio celebrates reopening with a new exhibition by Jake Feast and Sam Dean

7 Jul 2020

A new body of work from Jake Feast and Sam Dean, together known as Killaseek, explores the modern world’s short attention span.

Titled ‘Easily Distracted’, the exhibition is showing at Drake Street’s Allpress Studio to coincide with the gallery being able to host art lovers once more.

Encompassing painting, illustration and design, Easily Distracted taps into Killaseek’s signature modern pop art style, presenting a bright and pleasingly chaotic collection of slogans, and skews on well-known cartoon characters, all seeming to clammer for the viewer’s attention.

Describing it as an ‘incoherent and inspired stream of consciousness’ melded into one cohesive offering, Feast and Dean have created a show that provides viewers with plenty to take in, and a fair amount to ponder about what deserves our attention in a society enamoured with the newest, biggest, brightest, loudest thing.

Attend Allpress Studio’s opening event tonight, Tuesday 7th of July, from 5:30PM until 8:30PM.

Easily Distracted is available to view until July 20 at 8 Drake Street, Freeman’s Bay.

Allpress Studio
8 Drake Street,
Freemans Bay

www.jakefeast.com

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These are the best restaurants to go to if you’re a vegetarian with meat-eating friends

7 Jul 2020

In a group of friends, there’s usually at least one person that is vegetarian. But whether it’s due to health reasons, moral obligations or just a matter of personal preference, somebody’s choice to be vegetarian should not mean that they miss out on what Auckland’s dining scene has to offer. A number of the best restaurants in this city feature meat-free dishes that are so good, even the carnivores rave about them. And if you’re trying to decide where to go out for dinner, someplace where as much care is put into the vegetarian dishes as it is into the meat ones, here is a list of our favourite vegetarian-friendly dishes from some of the tastiest restaurants around to hopefully set you in the right direction.

Euro
The iconic waterfront stalwart, Euro Bar and Restaurant is another dining spot that offers a menu dedicated to vegetarian dishes, with the fresh burrata a particular favourite. Although each dish is unbelievably delicious, this season it’s the salt-baked celeriac, nasturtium, pecorino risotto and the cacio e pepe-style roasted cauliflower with Parmigiano-Reggiano that have us flocking back.

Ebisu
Japanese cuisine doesn’t only feature fish. Vegetables are also highly prioritised, which explains Ebisu’s swathe of options when it comes to vegetarian cuisine. This is how we would recommend getting the perfect vegetarian meal at Ebisu. Firstly, get a bowl of rice to have as your base and order the miso glazed eggplant, teriyaki tofu and broccolini with yuzu hollandaise. Each dish pairs perfectly with the bowl of warm fluffy rice as the sauces soak right through. Or you could swap out the rice for the vegetarian sushi roll and switch the tofu and broccolini with the tasty vegetable tempura and shredded cabbage salad. Never trade the miso-glazed eggplant for anything.

Brussels sprouts (on the left) and Gorgonzola kumara gnocchi (on the right) from Cotto

Cotto
Believe it or not, some of the best, most renowned dishes from this Italian restaurant on K’Road are in fact, vegetarian. Its spinach and goats cheese dumplings with fried sage have garnered Cotto something of a cult following. The gorgonzola kumara gnocchi and Brussels sprouts are dishes that come and go with the seasons but are always highly-anticipated when they haven’t been on the menu for a while. Cotto always makes sure to have at least one vegetarian main dish on the menu, so vegetarians are sure to find something that suits.

Ima Cuisine
Meat eater or not, you can never go wrong with a meal at Ima Cuisine. The mezze platter is the best way to begin your Ima experience but beware of over-filling yourself with housemade pita bread. We understand that it’s moreish beyond words but you must save room for what’s ahead. On the lunch menu, try the sabich pita. Described as the ‘Israeli king of sandwiches’, it’s filled to the brim with a smooth hummus, charred eggplants, slices of fried potatoes, boiled eggs, tahini and a fragrant Iraqi condiment called amba. All the side salads that come to the table are vegetarian and the fried halloumi cannot be faulted.

Han
Korean BBQ is not all that Parnell’s Han Restaurant brings to the table. Meat is a very prominent component in Korean cuisine but vegetables have equal importance. The modern Korean restaurant is home to the tastiest tofu tacos and the best bibimbap this city has to offer. Different to any bibimbap we’ve ever seen, this bowl features an array of sautéed vegetables and a fried kimchi leaf, followed by seed crackers to add a heavenly crunch to the dish. To make it even better, this can be turned vegan on request which opens it up for even more people to enjoy.

Cassia
Chef and restaurateur Sid Sahrawat is renowned for his efforts in crafting both vegetarian and meat dishes at all of his prolific restaurants. However, Cassia is one that shines particularly bright as it is home to delicious dishes like the mild and heavenly combination of roasted carrots, vindaloo cream, macadamia masala and coconut; the smoked potato and paneer kulcha, a type of Indian flatbread, served with coriander chutney; and the delightfully organic-looking smoked mushrooms punctuated with balls of bocconcini, drizzled with a green chilli cream and truffle oil.

Soul Bar & Bistro
Infamous for their mac and cheese with ham off the bone, Soul Bar & Bistro offers a vegetarian version of this dish as well. In fact, Soul offers a wholly vegetarian menu, filled with meatless renditions of their regular dishes. The mozzarella toast is a wise way to start any Soul feast and is loved by many.
For mains, fries might be a cliche but Soul’s skinny fries are unparalleled. Each and every shoestring is perfectly seasoned and crispy and anyone who tries these agrees that they are some of the best in town.

Peach Pit
This K’ Road bar and eatery has long been flying the flag for vegetable-focused fare. While chef and owner Lukrecya Craw certainly knows her way around meat-centric dishes like the current menu’s veal shank with xi’an spices or Brussels sprouts with lap cheong ⁠(a type of Chinese sausage), Peach Pit’s vegetarian dishes are just as satisfying, including the legendary whole roasted cauliflower with ‘strange flavours’, nuts and coconut. Our tip is to make sure you leave room for this, as it usually comes out last and is huge. The other must-order is the unabashedly spicy vegetarian mapo tofu ⁠— some of the best in Auckland, even sans meat.

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Light artist Angus Muir on Iceland and Scandi-Noir TV

4 Jul 2020

It takes a great amount of skill to change the way we interact with our environment in an enjoyable and memorable way. This is the area of expertise for light artist Angus Muir and darkness his palette. An ‘architect of objects, spaces and experiences’, a fitting byline with his background in architecture, Muir founded award-winning studio Angus Muir Design in 2014 and today works with a core team of three, plus contractors and collaborators, to create some of the most incredible light-focused installations in New Zealand and abroad. Highlights (literally) include Auckland’s Bright Nights down in the Viaduct, and a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Jerusalem Festival of Lights where the team set up artwork in the Old City, tacking on a mission to the Dead Sea afterwards. “When we travel to a new place, we try and take something out into the wild, for a cool installation,” says Muir, who sat down to illuminate some of his inspirations for us.

My personal style is defined by: Yoga shorts / flannel shirts / bright socks. Rural activewear?

An unforgettable place I visited was: Iceland. I was lucky enough to do some work in Europe earlier this year and spent a week there. The four hours of daylight mixed with snow storms and incredible landscape was simply amazing. A perfect backdrop for some lights.

Next place I’d like to travel to: Back to the Island of Ishigaki in Japan. The perfect mix of Japanese culture in a tropical island setting.

An object I would never part with is: Honestly – I am an object person. I’ve got five metres of Lundia shelving loaded with objects from various travels so it would be too hard to narrow it down. I love bright colours and usually geometric shapes. Circles mostly.

The one artist whose work I would collect is: Helle Mardahl. I recently discovered her work — the colours and shapes are fantastic. Most artists I follow work on a scale that isn’t very collectable.

On my wish list is: Big gatherings of people, light festivals and international travel.

My favourite app is: Camera or Instagram.

An indulgence I would never forgo is: Coffee. I love a good hit multiple times a day.

A person who inspires me is: James Turrell. His use of light and space in the most simple ways is so mystifying and ingenious. I have been lucky to experience a number of his large works in person.

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city it would be: I am yet to find a suburb with a Bunnings, Lululemon, coffee, and a good sneaker shop all within walking distance.

I can’t miss an episode of: I’ve developed a love of Scandi-Noir TV. I think the subtitles allow me to fully engage and focus. No multi-tasking.

In my fridge you’ll always find: Sparkling water and Kewpie Mayo.

My favourite room in my house is: Our deck, a lovely sunny spot in our apartment.

The podcasts I listen to are: Casefile. Can’t get enough.

I recently discovered: Wang Mart which is a Korean Supermarket. All the hard to find ingredients under one roof.

The people I rely on for my wellbeing are: My girlfriend Liz and our two Burmese cats.

My favourite website is: Pinterest. Simple answer – but I love going down the rabbit hole on there.

The grooming product I can’t live without is: Ecostore Manuka Honey soap. Love it. I take it everywhere and have three boxes at home in case they stop producing it.

Music I’m currently listening to: Anything with a good beat, not too many words, preferably in another language. Psychemagik, Shinichiro Yokota, HNNY.

If I wasn’t doing what I am, I would be: Working backstage in a theatre.

I have a collection of: Pencil cases, socks, craft knives and sneakers.

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Artist Devyn Ormsby of Devon Made Glass on Vietnam and Yinka Ilori

3 Jul 2020

Devyn Ormsby will change the way you look at fruit, and the way you think about the malleability of glass. Originally from Tauranga, Ormsby graduated from Auckland’s Elam School of Fine Arts in 2015 and developed her glass fruit series through experimenting on the side of her post-university job, which was making glass birds. The series, created under the moniker Devon Made Glass, is a pleasing burst of colour to the eye, an interesting intersection of transparency and solidity. Through the series, Ormsby pays homage to the blown glass fruit-makers and collectors of the 1960’s, and unlike their edible counterparts, these fruit ornaments won’t be affected by the passage of time. While the objects she makes are inspiring to many, the artist took a moment to share what she herself is interested in.

My personal style can be defined by: Style is so subjective, it seems easier to define other peoples style rather than your own. But I guess it would be simple and pared back. It is dictated a lot by what mood I am in. Some
days I will feel like having lots of colours and patterns around and others just neutral tones or fully black. I love colour but also appreciate the calmness of plain.

The last thing I bought and loved was: I just bought a wet belt sander for my studio, which is coming in from the US. I haven’t yet received it but it is going to make my life a lot easier. I am so excited for it to arrive.

Next place I’d like to go to: I had planned to go to Mexico this year with my partner. But we will see if that is still a possibility. Otherwise more than happy to explore New Zealand. We might do a road trip around the South Island instead.

An unforgettable place I visited was: I visited Vietnam a couple of years back and went to this abandoned water park. It was in the middle of nowhere and you had to bribe a guard to let you in. Once in you can scooter
around the whole park. There are all these overgrown pathways, sculptures, abandoned pools and stadiums. Then in the middle of the park is this huge dried up lake with a building in the shape of a dragon just sitting there. It felt so surreal, like Jurassic Park vibes.

An object I would never part with is: My parents gifted me a Waka Huia. It is very special to me and I will pass onto my future children one day.

On my wish list is: More practical things like studio equipment, a grinder, diamond pads, shelving, more glass etc. Oh and a new mattress too. Need good sleep.

The design (building, person, item) that inspires me is:
I recently came across multi-disciplinary artist Yinka Ilori. I find his work very inspiring and refreshing. I read a description of his work that really stuck with me, which was “There’s a great honesty and integrity in his approach and a real belief in the ability of good design and colour to uplift a place and uplift people”.

The last thing I added to my wardrobe was: I just bought a second hand jumper from Real Time Ponsonby. It is so warm and perfect for this winter.

My favourite app is: Love/Hate Instagram. Are there any new apps coming out?

An indulgence I would never forgo is: Spending a whole day hungover in bed, lol.

The best book I’ve read in the last year is: Educated by Tara Westover. I also grew up Mormon and so many things in the book struck chords with me. Also a super interesting read with the Mormon parts aside.

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city it would be: I haven’t been there, but I am willing to risk it in Seoul. I heard second-hand shopping is amazing, plus it’s huge and I have been watching the street food vendor videos on YouTube.

My style icon is: My friend who is such a babe, just launched her vintage collection on Instagram @cotton_weeds.

I can’t miss an episode of: I feel up to date with TV series’ at the moment. But I did watch the Normal People series in two days. It’s based on the book by Sally Rooney.

In my fridge you’ll always find: Pickles and defrosting raw cat food.

The last meal out I had that truly impressed me was: Selera in Newmarket. The Laksa…. Sooo good!

My favourite room in my house is: The bathroom.

I recently discovered: MV organic skincare.

The people I rely on for my well being are: My family. I have so many of them to choose from that I can message or call. My grandparents, Mum and Dad, four sisters and one brother, plus their partners and a couple of nieces and a nephew. I am very lucky.

My favourite website is: At the moment I have been into the Dezeen website. They always have new articles about leading designs and spaces.

The one artist whose work I would collect is (if price is not an issue): Nikau Hindin. So obsessed with her work.

The beauty/ grooming product I can’t live without is: My friend got me a Tangle Teezer hair brush for my birthday and I love it so much.

The best gift I ever received was: My Waka Huia from my parents.

Music I’m currently listening to: I have a random selection of liked Spotify songs I play on repeat at the moment. I have actually bashed them a bit much and am about to get to the sick-of-them stage. But top 4 songs:
Believe by Cher
Knowing me, Knowing you – Triple J Like a version by Angie McMahon
Girls on the TV by Laura Jean
An Apology by Future Islands

If I wasn’t doing what I am, I would be: Learning Te Reo Māori. This is still a goal of mine to do in the next few years.

I have a collection of: Glass, wood and ceramic sculptures.

A great piece of advice I’ve received: If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.

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Upgrade movie night with this delicious peanut butter cinnamon caramel popcorn

2 Jul 2020

Sort the winter weekend trifecta of sofa, movies and popcorn with this deliciously good recipe that’s dairy, gluten and refined sugar free. This is caramel popcorn recipe by our friends at Chantal Organics is a winner.

Ingredients:
Popcorn
1/3 cup Chantal Organics Popcorn
3 Tbsp Chantal Organics Coconut Oil
Peanut Butter Caramel
4 Tbsp Chantal Organics Smooth Peanut Butter
4 Tbsp pure maple syrup, honey or rice syrup
2 Tbsp Chantal Organics Coconut Oil
2 tsp Chantal Organics Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Chantal Naturals Sea Salt FineFollow the instructions on the back of the Chantal Organics popcorn packet to pop 1/3 cup popcorn in 3 Tbsp coconut oil. Transfer the popped corn to a large mixing bowl.

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC fan bake and line 2 baking trays.
2. Place all the caramel ingredients into a small pan and stir over low heat until melted.
3. Pour the caramel sauce over the popcorn and use a spatula to fold it through.
4. Spread the caramel-coated corn over the two baking trays and place into the oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the caramel starts to bubble and turns golden.
5. Remove the caramel corn from the oven and allow to cool – the caramel will harden as it cools.
6. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

www.huckleberry.co.nz

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Hospitality guru Mimi Gilmour Buckley on Positano and Finneas

2 Jul 2020

Many know Mimi Gilmour Buckley as the powerhouse hospitality name behind Burger Burger. Her entrepreneurial spirit has seen a new breed of casual dining emerge with more than half a million diners known to pass through her doors each year, and with the sixth Burger Burger having recently taken up residence in Commercial Bay’s new shopping precinct, Gilmour is certainly not resting on her laurels. An inspiration to many, the restaurateur and CEO takes a moment out of her hectic schedule to share what, in turn, inspires her.

My personal style can be defined by: Classic & comfortable. I have a hideous weak spot for anything cashmere and if I need to jazz myself up I love a fab earring and a classic heel.

The last thing I bought and loved was: My new Yu Mei ‘Rebecca’ bag in Seaweed. Jessie from Yu Mei has just open her first Auckland store in Commercial Bay & I must have walked passed and looked at the bags 10 times before I thought “F**k it, I totally deserve to celebrate our recent wins and support local!” I love that she’s an ambitious bizzo gal with global dreams. I’m 100% behind that.

An unforgettable place I visited was: Positano – I went to one of my best friend’s weddings with my husband, Stephen. It was a three-day dream filled with Aperol Spritzes and floral dresses. Everyone was chic and floaty and Italian and fabulous.

An object I would never part with is: I have a cabinet in my living room which I call my treasure chest. It’s filled with all my favourite things – items I’ve collected while travelling, photos of my favourite people and special pieces like my Grandfather’s pounamu.

The last thing I added to my wardrobe was: The ‘Felix’ dress from Marle. I have it in both colours. A good 80% of my wardrobe is Marle – I’m a sucker for a clever woman doing what she loves and my friend Juliet, who started Marle, is just that. She makes beautiful, effortless clothes for real women.

The design (building, person, item) that inspires me is: I’m really inspired by Commercial Bay, where we just opened our sixth Burger Burger. The people behind Commercial Bay really believe in Auckland and have an awesome vision for the future of our city. I’m into it.

On my wish list is: Anything Jessica McCormack… Dreams are free (as are hints… I hope my husband reads this!).

I’m also very inspired by my clever friends. My dream is to have a house designed by Bureaux which is run by two of my best friends, Maggie Carrol and Jessica Walker, and then have a second building on the property (LOL ‘on the property’ – big dreams around here!) designed by another best friend, Nat Cheshire. That building would be a creative studio for moi and a gym for Stevo.

My favourite app is: Instagram. I’m a visual person and Instagram is my opportunity to escape into the world of possibility. I’ve also recently become obsessed with Co-Star, an app that gives you realtime horoscopes.

An indulgence I would never forgo is: Facials with Kate at Skinography. I truly believe she has magic hands. A facial with her is the greatest stress relief on the planet, emotionally and physically. I always feel like a new woman afterward.

Next place I’d like to go to: I’d love to go to an indulgent Kiwi lodge like The Farm at Cape Kidnappers or Eagle’s Nest in the Bay of Islands for a well-deserved weekend away… The last date my husband and I had was in Positano three years ago!

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city it would be: Ponsonby, because it’s my village, or SoHo in New York.

My style icon is: Jessica McCormack – She has an effortlessly chic style that I adore all whilst being the mother to three small boys, championing NZ wherever she can and humbly creating and nurturing an insanely fabulous jewellery business. Doesn’t get much sexier than that!

The best book I’ve read in the last year is: Maybe not surprisingly, it’s a cookbook – ‘A Modern Way to Cook’ by Anna Jones. Although I’m not a vegetarian her books are. She writes beautifully and her food is simple and soul-nourishingly delicious. Her one pot tomato pasta will change your life.

I can’t miss an episode of: I’m not a huge TV watcher, but I’ve just discovered Lenox Hill, a Netflix series about a New York hospital. I also really like watching Restaurants On The Edge, though I’m quite impatient so normally I fast forward to the end to see how they fix them!

The podcasts I listen to are: I don’t really have enough time or brain capacity at the moment to indulge in too many podcasts but I do really enjoy How I Built This & How to Fail to remind myself that where there is a will, and a lot of resilience, there is a way!

In my fridge you’ll always find: Champagne, Parmigiano Reggiano and Lewis Road Creamery Butter.

My favourite room in my house is: My open plan living room/dining room/kitchen. It’s the place where I get to cook and eat and be with my friends and family.

I recently discovered: Siri’s many hidden talents. She’s slowly teaching me how to be her friend and I think she might just make my life a little bit more efficient which is an everlasting endeavour!

The people I rely on for my well being are: My family and my friends. When I need cuddles, there’s no one I want them more from than my husband and children.

My favourite website is: The New York Times and The Guardian.

A gadget I can’t do without is: I acquired a Thermomix to help me make Olympias purees… During lockdown I really through myself into it getting up close & personal with it and gal… You can cook almost ANYTHING in it! Equally important in our house is the humble microplane. No kitchen should be without one. I have four.

The one artist whose work I would collect is (if price is not an issue): I have always and will always love Ralph Hotere. I’ve also recently become obsessed with an American artist called Donna Huanca. Quite different but both deeply emotional.

The last meal out I had that truly impressed me was: Ponsonby Road Bistro. I love consistency and Blair and the team knock it out of the park. Every. Single. Time. Also, love the cool kids at Lilian… That Tuatua pizza!

The best gift I ever received was: The opportunity to grow my very own family. I will never be as grateful for anything as I am for our girls, Olympia and Octavia, and the many lessons I have learnt along by becoming their mother.

The beauty/ grooming product I can’t live without is: Apart from my facials I’m a pretty low maintenance gal when it comes to skincare however I am yet to find myself the perfect skincare regime…watch this space though because I have an idea brewing!

Music I’m currently listening to: FINNEAS, Billie Eilish’s brother. I don’t know who got me on to him but I’m glad they did in time for this question!

If I wasn’t doing what I am, I would be: I’m not big on limits – if I want to do something, I’ll give it a go…As evidenced by the new adventure I’m starting soon, which is in a space that’s quite different to the food & hospo world. I know that I’m my best when I am learning, growing and evolving so being a little uncomfortable is so good for me!

I have a collection of: Earrings! I told you I can’t go past a jazzy pair.

A great piece of advice I’ve received: If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Also this; The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave — (Ronald Reagan)

Gastronomy

Soul Bar & Bistro unveils The Red Vault — a treasure trove of surprises giving us countless reasons to pop the Champagne

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There’s no better time to slumber on the sofa. Perhaps you should upgrade?

1 Jul 2020

The effect of an impeccably-designed sofa on an interior is not to be underestimated. Such a central piece deserves to have a good amount of thought behind it; after all, it’s where we put our feet up after a long day, watch our favourite show, read a book or ⁠— perhaps more often than we care to admit ⁠— have a cosy catnap. Functionality and exquisite craftsmanship are both front and centre within this selection of sofas and, importantly, they’re easy on the eye.