Food writer and Ōra King Best Dish New Zealand Judge, Lauraine Jacobs, travelled to Japan as part of the fifth annual Ōra King Awards. Below is her experience of Mikawaya Ryokan. No cuisine on this planet exhibits as much careful design, attention to detail, focus on the seasons and the finest ingredients as Japanese restaurant…[Read more]
NZ’s Ora King Awards Judges 2017
We are delighted that two of New Zealand’s most respected food personalities, Lauraine Jacobs and Geoff Scott are returning to judge the New Zealand dishes in the 2017 Ora King Awards competition. Lauraine Jacobs writes the weekly food column for the NZ Listener and is one of the country’s most experienced restaurant critics and culinary judges. Trained…[Read more]
Mementos Shared – Mahana
Every chef or foodie holds onto one or two special memento’s that evokes for them a memory related to food, cooking or entertaining – the first good knife they ever owned, a cookbook that led them into a life revolving around cooking, a special bowl passed down through the family. For me it is a…[Read more]
Flavours of the Sea by Thomas Barta
We love when our esteemed chefs share their Ōra King recipes and give us an insight into the work that has gone into the masterpiece. The recipe below is no exception, Thomas won the award for Best Dish NZ at the 2015 Ōra King Awards with his delightful dish Flavours of the Sea. Judge Lauraine Jacobs,…[Read more]
Thomas Barta: Winner Best Ora King Dish NZ 2015
Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the morning at Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill in Auckland with Head Chef Thomas Barta and his kitchen brigade. The purpose of my visit, a photoshoot with the talented Jonny Davis. Thomas took the crown for the Best Ōra King Dish NZ at this year’s awards lunch,…[Read more]