cooking

Central Otago will feature on celebrity chef Simon Gault's new television show Chef on a Mission next week, when the MasterChef New Zealand judge visits Tarras, Cromwell and Bendigo Station to learn the diet and cuisine of a typical high-country shearing gang.

There are many things that confuse me.

People from more than 150 nations call New Zealand home.

Not content with getting his autobiography into the top 10 list of the country's best-selling non-fiction publications, first-time author and ex motorcycle racer Graeme Crosby has his eyes on the top spot.

Dunedin canteen staff gathered fresh ideas for healthy, child-tempting food at a cooking demonstration by Dunedin chef and food writer Judith Cullen yesterday.

A new edition of the magisterial The New Zealand Cook's Bible: Classic recipes and step-by-step techniques (Penguin, hbk, $75) is out with a new chapter on meal and menu planning.

Slow cookers are convenient, economical and easy to use, and it's welcoming to come home to the smell of dinner cooking. Charmian Smith talks to Joan Bishop about the beauties - and a few of the cautions - of using slow cookers.

The Otago Farmers Market at the Dunedin Railway Station may attract more than 8000 people on Saturday mornings at this time of year, but the charitable trust that runs it is not resting on its laurels.

Ossi di morto (bones of the dead) may not be the most enticing name for a biscuit, nor are these little macaroons pretty, but they are delicious.

Simon Gault, the MasterChef NZ judge, said, when I phoned: "Are you going to be nice?" Is he? "I'm the cuddly one."