Belmont, Auckland

1696 days ago

25 years evolves into Remote Covid learning

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

We were lucky!

Over the weekend of 14/15 March, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary at NZSFW and 10 days later, New Zealand ground to a halt in the Covid19 Lockdown.

And while our day to day life has dramatically changed, looking at all these photos gives me a lot of pleasure and especially to be… View more
We were lucky!

Over the weekend of 14/15 March, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary at NZSFW and 10 days later, New Zealand ground to a halt in the Covid19 Lockdown.

And while our day to day life has dramatically changed, looking at all these photos gives me a lot of pleasure and especially to be able to share in the achievements of our current students and graduates. The highlight has to be the magnificent dinner; an inspired menu created by our gifted chef, Finn Gybel and prepared under his watchful eye by the cookery students.

Fortuitously, the lamb arrived fresh from Pigeon Bay via Harris Meats in North Canterbury and after a number of dramas leaving us worried that it would in time. Finn's dish, where he wrapped the lamb in crepinette, to hold it together while cooking, was certainly a new technique that we had not used in the past.

It was a thrill to have veteran broadcaster, Carol Hirschfeld as MC for the dinner and lend her distinctive and thoughtful commentary to our story. Carol asked me who she could "interview" during the dinner. Victoria Biddick, our first enrolled student from 1995, Oliver Hay and Joelle Thomson all shared their unique perspective on their association with the school.

There is certainly some irony in the fact that as we were celebrating these 25 years, another significant challenge was about to explode. Drawing on my earthquake experience, where we relocated our students to my second business at the Duvauchelle Store and Café, I knew that we had to find a way to keep going.

As the Covid19 crisis escalated, I discussed with our tutors how we could teach the programmes online and with the cookery students cooking in their own kitchens at home. Again, I was fortunate that my son Oliver, computer systems engineer, and recently returned from his super yacht chef sojourn, decided that he wanted to work full-time at NZSFW. Oli then set about finding the best platform for the tutors to stream their classes live and to administer the programmes. We have used Google Classroom and the Hangouts conferencing software to do this and it's working well.

By Friday 20 March, we had amended our cookery timetables to focus on baking, pasta and dishes that were easier to prepare at home. The students then went home with a 5kg bag of flour, 2 kg sugar, 1kg butter, 12 eggs and other ingredients. We trialled the video streaming from NZSFW while we could and then following the lockdown, the tutors now continue from their homes. The logistics are much easier for Franck with his hospitality students!

For the cookery students, the model is they watch the demonstrations at home and later upload photographs of their cooking. It's not ideal, as the tutor cannot taste their food and sometimes the livestream is pixellated or cuts out but it's better that doing nothing. Plus, everyone gets to chat and socialise from the safety of their bubble. And with supermarkets open, we can continue to buy supplies. View Foundation cooking shots here. And Advanced Cooking here.

Stay safe and have fun,
Celia Hay

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1696 days ago

Let's chat about your garden today

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Hello neighbours, our editor Jo McCarroll is hosting another Live Lunch today (with colleague Naomi who edits NZ House & Garden), so jump online between 12.30 and 1pm to join them. You can ask questions in advance, so start firing through your gardening questions and pictures of your garden or … View moreHello neighbours, our editor Jo McCarroll is hosting another Live Lunch today (with colleague Naomi who edits NZ House & Garden), so jump online between 12.30 and 1pm to join them. You can ask questions in advance, so start firing through your gardening questions and pictures of your garden or the projects you've been tackling over lockdown anytime you like!

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1696 days ago

Two weeks into lockdown - how's everyone feeling?

Neighbourly.co.nz

How's everyone feeling at this stage of lockdown? Head over to the Reach Out page and let everyone know how you're coping and share any words of kindness that will help support each other during this time. Do you need help or can you help a neighbour in need? Perhaps you can offer a … View moreHow's everyone feeling at this stage of lockdown? Head over to the Reach Out page and let everyone know how you're coping and share any words of kindness that will help support each other during this time. Do you need help or can you help a neighbour in need? Perhaps you can offer a friendly phone call, have some great baking tips, ways to work from home or ideas to keep the kids entertained. Post on Reach Out and together we can all support each other and our communities during this time.

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1697 days ago

Looking for inspiration?

Signature Homes

The team at Signature Homes North Shore & Rodney wants to keep you entertained while at home with a free digital copy of our latest home design magazine, full of real stories from Kiwi homeowners.

If you’re thinking of building new, or just looking for some inspiration, Signature Style is … View more
The team at Signature Homes North Shore & Rodney wants to keep you entertained while at home with a free digital copy of our latest home design magazine, full of real stories from Kiwi homeowners.

If you’re thinking of building new, or just looking for some inspiration, Signature Style is a must-read! We have a wide range of House & Land Packages and home designs to suit your taste, budget, section and lifestyle.

We look forward to reconnecting with the community very soon, in the meantime please click to get your free digital copy of our magazine.

Phillip Howe
Signature Homes North Shore & Rodney
Find out more

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1697 days ago

Don't miss your collection this Easter

The Team from Auckland Council

Hey Auckland, we will continue to collect your kerbside collections during the Easter holiday, but with some changes to collection dates.

Collections from Easter Friday will be a day later and return to normal Monday 20 April.

Remember all rubbish, recycling bins and bags and food scraps bins… View more
Hey Auckland, we will continue to collect your kerbside collections during the Easter holiday, but with some changes to collection dates.

Collections from Easter Friday will be a day later and return to normal Monday 20 April.

Remember all rubbish, recycling bins and bags and food scraps bins (if applicable) are to be placed out before 7am on your collection day.
Learn more

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1698 days ago

Has your Tenancy Tribunal hearing been adjourned due to coronavirus?

Kendall Hutt Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Hi neighbours. Thousands of Tenancy Tribunal hearings have been adjourned due to coronavirus and the nationwide lockdown. The tribunal is restricted in what applications it can hear and is only able to hear ones which include issues such as substantial property damage or the property is … View moreHi neighbours. Thousands of Tenancy Tribunal hearings have been adjourned due to coronavirus and the nationwide lockdown. The tribunal is restricted in what applications it can hear and is only able to hear ones which include issues such as substantial property damage or the property is uninhabitable. Has your Tenancy Tribunal hearing been adjourned over Covid-19? Are you unhappy the hearing has not been able to go ahead? Feel free to get in touch with reporter Kendall Hutt at kendall.hutt@stuff.co.nz.

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1725 days ago

Replacing the private long-distance bus terminal would cost ratepayers

Todd Niall Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Hi Neighbours, If the long-distance bus terminal moves out of Sky City's complex, ratepayers will probably foot the bill. Ngāti Whātua opposes AT's plan to put it on their land. See below what it would look like, but should it stay where it is ?

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1697 days ago

Please take a moment to give us some feedback...

The Rose Centre

With The Rose Centre physically closed we are beavering away on other projects behind the scenes in our bubbles. Please accept this invitation to offer us some feedback. It's a 3 or 4 minute survey and you can fill it in online at Survey Monkey using the link below. Thank you for your time!

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1697 days ago

Smales Farm is open!

Shorecare Urgent Care Smales Farm

While Northcross is currently out of action for urgent care matters, Smales Farm is still running business as usual.
Sadly we are finding that some patients are waiting to come in and see us but leaving certain health conditions can be detrimental to your health.
Please be assured that we have … View more
While Northcross is currently out of action for urgent care matters, Smales Farm is still running business as usual.
Sadly we are finding that some patients are waiting to come in and see us but leaving certain health conditions can be detrimental to your health.
Please be assured that we have taken measures to ensure your safety and ours.

Firstly you will be assessed by our screening clinician at the door.

Following this, you will either be taken into a room straight away, popped in our waiting room which has been given a social distancing makeover, or even asked to return to your car.

We are only taking PayWave payments or are invoicing to be paid online. No cash.

We have installed perspex screens for our receptionists and our staff have PPE available to them.

So please if you find yourself in need of urgent medical or accident care, pop in and see us at Smales Farm.

We are open 24/7. No appointment necessary.

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1698 days ago

Practice good health habits

Neighbourly.co.nz

● Wash your hands.
● Use cough and sneeze etiquette.
● Respect self-isolation.

These are only some of the ways that you can keep yourself and your Neighbours safe!

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1698 days ago

*Win* a $50 Prezzy Card

The Team from Readers Tours

We are looking for seniors 65+ to take part in a short questionnaire to help us improve our website. The questions will take no longer than 3 minutes to complete and no personal information is required. The winner of a $50 Prezzy Card will be drawn at random on 27 April and contacted directly.

View more
We are looking for seniors 65+ to take part in a short questionnaire to help us improve our website. The questions will take no longer than 3 minutes to complete and no personal information is required. The winner of a $50 Prezzy Card will be drawn at random on 27 April and contacted directly.

Visit www.readerstours.co.nz and spend a few minutes browsing our website. Think about the pages you would visit and the information you would like to see in order to book your next adventure! When you are ready, click here to complete our questionnaire.

Thank you, your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Ts&Cs apply.
Take our questionnaire

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1698 days ago

Safe and Happy Easter Celebration

Baycrest Village

Hi neighbours. Baycrest Village is a most popular place to live! It's sunny, spacious, has private indoor/outdoor living, generous storage, and garages with internal access. The weekly service fees are low.

Baycrest Village is a registered Charitable Trust with a friendly atmosphere.View more
Hi neighbours. Baycrest Village is a most popular place to live! It's sunny, spacious, has private indoor/outdoor living, generous storage, and garages with internal access. The weekly service fees are low.

Baycrest Village is a registered Charitable Trust with a friendly atmosphere. We're a supportive community with Christian values. From all at the Village, we’d like to wish our Community a Safe and Happy Easter Celebration.

For further information about Baycrest Village please email dianne@baycrestvillage.co.nz or phone on (09) 424 2719.
Find out more

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M
1698 days ago

Found ear phones

Mandy from Devonport

Found earphones outside my house this evening on pavement on Vauxhall Road , please contact me on 0274876373 if you think they are yours , thanks Mandy

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