Favourite food finds around town

NOT YOUR STANDARD BREAKFAST
Weekend farmers' market fare needn't be the soul preserve of the artisan sausage. From this weekend onwards, Cocoloco will be debuting their delicious coconut breakfast parfaits at the Mt Albert and Grey Lynn markets, serving coconut bircher muesli straight from the nut. Bircher muesli is soaked in Cocoloco's coconut water, combined with raw nuts, chia seeds, cinnamon, coconut flakes and apple, topped with coconut yoghurt and a rhubard compote. We especially love how this beauty of a healthy breakfast is served in a coconut. Check out the breakfast parfait at the Mt Albert market on Saturday and the Grey Lynn market on Sunday. $10 each,cocoloco.co.nz.

IN CONVERSATION WITH ... 
Are you a regular fixture on Auckland's dining scene? Are you the first to know when the chef at your favourite restaurant has tweaked their menu ever so slightly? You might just be the perfect candidate to attend the first of The Viva Sessions, an evening where Viva's Eating Out Editor Nici Wickes talks to three of Auckland's promising young chefs and restaurateurs about what it takes to stand out from the crowd.

Tom Hishon (Head Chef and owner of Orphans Kitchen), Damaris Coulter (owner of Coco's Cantina) and Hayden McMillan (Head Chef of Provenance) will all be in attendance, as Wickes breaks down kitchen barriers and encourages frank conversations about all things food. It's a fast-paced, exciting time for Auckland's hospitality industry, and being in the know about dining out seems to be the latest cultural currency. On Tuesday September 23 at 6pm, at the Viaduct Harbour's Maritime Museum, the evening offers up an insider's look at what makes three buzzing local restaurants tick.

• Tickets cost $45 per person and are selling fast. Purchase them atviva.co.nz/sessions.

FOODIE FOCUS
Auckland's food literate would do well to book tickets to this year's Taste of Auckland. As well as local chef master classes and a GH Mumm Champagne marquee, a group of international experts will take part, educating guests on the finer points of food and wine. A highlight looks set to be The Plumm Wine Theatre, hosted by Matt Skinner, smooth-talking Australian sommelier and co-founder, with Jamie Oliver, of Fifteen restaurant. Wine knowledge will be built upon, there will be tastings and, afterwards, you can feast on all the goodies Taste of Auckland has to offer. Tickets cost between $25 and $95, from tasteofauckland.co.nz.

WHISKY WISDOM
Soon there will be a dinner that celebrates seriously good whisky alongside equally as triumphant food. The occasion will take place at Auckland's O'Connell Street Bistro, where guests will be treated to tastings guided by aficionados Sam Snead and Nigel Kelly of The House of Whisky. Executive head chef, Chris Upton, will be working with fresh truffles in the kitchen, a divine pairing with the old boys' spirit, and the beverage list includes a rare Tobermory 15-year-old Old Malt Cask whisky. Regardless of your level of whisky education, this evening looks primed to be all kinds of indulgent.

Tickets cost $190 per person. Includes whisky tastings and a four-course truffle-inspired dinner. To book call O'Connell St Bistro on (09) 377 1884.

BISTRONOMY: FRENCH FOOD UNBOUND
There's much to love about food writer Katrina Meynick's latest cookbook.Bistronomy captures a snapshot of a trend, "that elusive partnership of gastronomic excellence in the comfortable, relaxed atmosphere of a bistro". The book includes more than 100 recipes from international chefs including New Zealander Dan Pearson of Egg & Spoon, and Matt Lambert, expat and head chef of Michelin-starred New York City restaurant The Musket Room. It celebrates those who are swapping haute cuisine for fun, relaxed surrounds. A refreshing compendium of star dishes that will excite professional chefs and assured home cooks. $60, from Unity Books, 09 307 073.

MENU PICKS
Our favourite dishes around town . . .

1. The Turkish eggs at Queenies. A properly filling any-time-of-day option with poached eggs, baba ghanoush, yoghurt, hot chilli, butter and toast.

2. Chop Chop's Twelve Hour Organic Beef Brisket Ramen bowl, also featuring bacon, chilli, pickled mustard seeds, shiitake mushrooms and rye noodles. Slurping is encouraged.

3. Golden Dawn's version of a White Russian cocktail. Topped with freshly grated nutmeg, it's all kinds of wow.