The Foodie Inc

17/05/2026

🎀 Pink Ribbon Afternoon Tea 🎀

On Sunday 24 May I’m hosting a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research NZ to celebrate my sister Nicky - diagnosed in 2025 and still undergoing treatment in 2026.

Please help me smash my $1000 target.

If you would like to support Michelle & Breast Friends Forever (BFFs) go to:

https://fundraise.bcf.org.nz/fundraisers/MichelleandBFFs

Our parents are matching dollar-for-dollar up to $1000.

I'm fundraising for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, to help fund breast cancer education, research and patient support. Please donate to help the 3,700 Kiwis diagnosed with breast cancer each year in NZ.

16/05/2026

Did a little road trip to delaterrewinery yesterday… tasted an absolutely divine Reserve Tannat 2020 so much so, we had a glass 🍷 with lunch.. perfect with wood fired pizza 🍕

Open until Kings Birthday weekend, then closed for season until Labour Weekend, bar a couple of events… subscribe to their email list to find out what & when.

Tasting notes: Reserve Tannat 2020

Tannat originates from the Madiran region of south-west France – the variety the so-called “French Paradox” is based on.

Tannat is known for its huge colour and tannin concentration – in the Madiran region, this grape has the nickname of ‘la f***e noir’ – literally ‘the crazy black grape’. It has a unique aroma and flavour profile – vibrant fruit alongside ‘earthy’ notes.

10/05/2026

Gifted another HUGE bag of feijoas!

A polarising taste, but if you’re like me and you love them, the season is way too short.

Whipped up Nici Wickes dark chocolate and feijoa cake for this week's Good Bi***es Baking, going to Multiples Hawke's Bay.

Recipe Online: https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/saturday-morning-with-jack-tame/audio/nici-wickes-dark-chocolate-and-feijoa-cake/

This is the third feijoa baking in a row; thankfully, it's been a different recipient organisation each time!

ps still have about 50 feijoas left so ideas are welcome.

09/05/2026

Hot off the press!

The local - Vincent from Vincis Pizza 🍕- guide to eating out in Napier in thespinofftv.

From sublime bánh mì purveyors to an under-the-radar Turkish dining gem to the best new non-alcoholic drink in town.

04/05/2026

My gorgeous friend Brenda gave me these homegrown pomegranates.

The perfect pink garnish for my 🎀 Pink Ribbon Afternoon Tea 🎀

On Sunday 24 May I’m hosting a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ to celebrate my sister Nicky - diagnosed in 2025 and still undergoing treatment in 2026.

If you would like to support Michelle & Breast Friends Forever (BFFs) go to:

https://fundraise.bcf.org.nz/fundraisers/MichelleandBFFs

30/04/2026

🎀 Pink Ribbon Afternoon Tea 🎀

On Sunday 24 May I’m hosting a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ to celebrate my sister Nicky - diagnosed in 2025 and still undergoing treatment in 2026.

If you would like to support Michelle & Breast Friends Forever (BFFs) go to:

https://fundraise.bcf.org.nz/fundraisers/MichelleandBFFs

Or scan the QR code on third image.

And yes started my prep early… gifted free range eggs and courgettes so made mini courgette & cheese quiches to freeze then reheat on the day of the fundraiser.

20/04/2026

Throwback to lunch with my folks ten days ago, before they headed home to Orewa.

If you’re keen to ‘taste the menu’ at Pattie and Brioche opt for a selection of sharing bites:

🌮 Beer battered fish taco, slaw and avo salsa

🧨 Crispy chicken bites, firecracker sauce

🦑 Salt and pepper squid, preserved lemon aioli

🍟 who can resist curly fries; they always remind me of my OE 🇬🇧

While we dined out front in the sheltered courtyard, I can’t resist sharing a photo of the monkey 🐵 graphic behind the bar (photo taken another visit), which always makes me smile!

Thanks to Cliff and his team, a fabulous way to finish my folks’ holiday and a visit to another restaurant, new to them.

18/04/2026

Saturday morning in my neighbourhood, with Fiona & the puppadoodles - Toffi and Molly - along for the ride.

First stop: coffee and RBC cheese rolls Red Bridge Coffee ☕️

Second stop: blueberries 🫐 & raspberries Bay Blue - Delicious HB Grown Berries - last day for this season is Sunday 26 April.

Final stop: picked by an award winning smoked sheep feta 🧀 Origin Earth NZ

Love supporting local ❤️

15/04/2026

Absolutely 💯 agree we need a white wine emoji… sign the petition; link on New Zealand Wine post. Raise a glass on 1 May - Sauvignon Blanc Day.

White wine deserves its own emoji. And New Zealand is raising a glass to make it happen.

Today, we’re launching The Great White Wine Toast - a global movement celebrating the world’s favourite white wines and calling for the creation of the first-ever official white wine emoji.

From Sauvignon Blanc to Chardonnay, Pinot Gris to Albariño, white wine is refreshing, vibrant, and internationally loved. Yet while red wine and champagne have their own emojis, white wine is still missing from our digital language.

So on International Sauvignon Blanc Day, 1 May, we’re inviting white wine lovers everywhere to join a global toast across time zones - raise a glass of New Zealand white wine and show your support for an emoji the whole world can use.

Pour. Post. Tag. Toast. 🥂

Because this is one global emojency worth raising a glass to.

Learn more at the link below 🔗
https://bit.ly/glass-of-nz

13/04/2026

Hot off the press Outstanding Food Producer Awards 2026 Medal Winners announced.

Awesome to see several Hawke's Bay producers in the medals.

2026 Champions will be announced on Tuesday 19 May.

Judging is done, and the experts have spoken. These are the outstanding Kiwi foods of 2026. Check out the OFPA Medal Winners of 2026.

09/04/2026

A lovely relaxing vibe & friendly service, we had a delicious bite to eat at Maraetotara Pizza Garden last weekend.

Pizzas 🍕
Steak 🥩 sandwich 🥪
Cold drinks 🥤

Plus hotdogs & burgers 🍔 from The Doghaus NZ.

Picnic tables & blankets; dog friendly too.

Open Sat & Sun 11am - 4pm but keep an eye on the approaching weather bomb… they might not open this Sunday, it’s an outside venue.