It’s all about taste and texture at the Howick Club’s upcoming Wine and Food Festival next month. Organised in conjunction with an art exhibition and craft fair, the all day event promises to feature ‘top class wines, top class beers and top class food’.

Visitors can put their feet up under the big marquee, listen to the swinging sounds of the Society Jazzmen and taste to their heart’s content. All profits go to the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind Guide Dog Services and there will be a guide dog presence on the day. A local shuttle service will also be available and will run at regular intervals.

Restricted to Howick Club members, their guests and affiliated members from other clubs, most people will know someone who is a club member but if not perhaps now is the time to take up membership.

And of course a great way to kick off enjoyment of club facilities is by attending the festival fun which runs 11am-4pm, Sunday, November 11. Tickets are $15 for entry into all events and includes a free wine glass. For enquiries ph 537-7100.

Early birds love Coffee Bean:

Breakfast buffs who live and work in the Botany South area won’t do much better than Coffee Bean Café at Bishop’s Gate for an early morning bite to eat. When colleagues met there for a breakfast meeting recently we were well fed, well served and well – ready for bed! What a great little place, between we five we ate four omelettes and a huge bowl of muesli, yoghurt and fresh fruit. The omelettes were superb – packed with bacon, mushrooms, and for some, tomatoes and onion too. A side of toast was almost too much. Our muesli muncher claimed she had the best deal (we four would dispute that) but the outcome was five very satisfied colleagues who actually did get some work done – the upstairs room was ideal for business discussions or for any group wanting a little isolation. Hats of for the fast, efficient service, which came with a very sunny smile. PS I also appreciated the large jug of iced water with glasses all round. This was a very happy start to the morning.

Birthday Toast:

It’s birthday time at Prenzel of Whitford and readers are invited to call in for cake and a taste of the company’s very special liqueurs anytime until Friday October 26. The dynamic mother and daughter team of Mavis and Sarah are celebrating the shop’s third birthday and to mark the occasion are giving away bonus loyalty points on all purchases. Customers who guess where the birthday gift is hidden also go into a draw to win one of three lovely Prenzel gifts. And remember the shop, which is located in the heart of Whitford (next to The General Store) is open 7 days 10am-5pm so why not make an early start on Christmas shopping at the same time.