Exciting news for foodies over the weeeknd

Gosh so much exciting news out there, I am beside myself!

1.Masterchef NZ - the new season starts tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 7.30pm on TV One.
I really enjoy this programme, find in compelling, fascinating and inspiring.
I still feel it is a shame there is not a woman chef/foodie on the judging panel - three men?! No matter how good they may be it would be far more balanced if there was a woman among them.


2.Nadia's Kitchen - Nadia Lim is of course the totally gorgeous, super-talented winner of last year's MasterChef and her long-awaited cookbook (part of her prize) will be published by Random House on 5 April.
I had a sneaky look at an advance airmail copy and I can report it is stunning - totally luscious, complete meals arranged by seasons interspersed with Nadia's wonderful food philosophy. More when I get my hands on a copy! Can't wait.

3. Gordon Ramsay - Cook the Books that very special, specialist cookery book store (right) in Auckland's trendy Grey Lynn has a cocktail evening on 7 March at which about 75 guests will enjoy a few hours with the famous chef. Ticket details on Cook the Books Facebook page.

4.Jamie Oliver -  Plans were announced over the weekend for Jamie to bring his Jamie's Italian restaurants to New Zealand with scout David Williams looking for sites to seat 200 in Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown.

Rustic food, seasonal ingredients, freshly made pasta and a selection of antipasto are promised in a style of dining described as high-volume and affordable.
As one of NZ's greatest fans, (I own two copies of all of his books, one copy for home and the other at the bach), I must say I am delighted with this news. I plan to be at the Auckland branch on the night it opens so that I can blog about it the next day. Welcome Jamie.

5.Cuisine March issue - then to top it all off in the post box this morning was the March issue of foodie mag Cuisine. This issue celebrates 25 years of publication - yes it started way back in 1987 - and in this issue there is a special feature on show stopping 25th birthday cakes by top bakers.

I'm in foodie heaven this am!