Close race for Top of the Chocs
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker and Whittaker’s Kat Guard presented the ChoctoberFest 2023 awards to Gemma McCaughey and Hayden Sergent-Mcleod (The Karaage Kid, Top of the Chocs) and Anita Vogt (The Regal Shortbread Co., Whittaker’s Bake Off) to finish off a decadent month showcasing Porirua’s culinary creators.
More than 10,000 drinks and treats were enjoyed and 5000 public votes were cast. Massive congratulations to The Karaage Kid, whose Aunty Doris’s Thickshake won Top of the Chocs, while The Regal Shortbread Co. took out the Whittaker’s Bake Off with their decadent Chocolate Meringue Pie.
Rounding out the top three in the drinks category was Plimmerton Cake Café and Peppermill Café, with Local Authority and Urban Bake House second and third in the baking competition.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.7% Second half of November
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43.6% 1st December
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17.4% A week before Christmas
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33.2% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Moe mai rā, Nicholas.
We're sad to announce the passing of Nicholas Boyack, our Hutt Valley reporter who has long written for The Dominion Post, The Hutt News and Upper Hutt Leader.