A quick trip to New Zealand to do some special occasions for Miele. Miele have always supported the Foundation and I love working with them!

It was really a spectacular affair; a cocktail party held at Kouzina for 65 guests. I certainly had my hand in the food, but it was far more than that; the showroom so beautifully presented with stunning arrangements; top class wine and a three-piece Jazz trio of such talent. They were very accommodating too as it didn’t take much coersion for them to play my favourite song ‘Summertime’!

The next day with Michael Meredith Miele’s NZ ‘star’ chef; we did a very casual luncheon together for a media party of 10. It was so much fun working with someone who even though we’d never met we simply ebbed and flowed almost like a Cook and the Chef episode with me not knowing in advance what Michael was going to cook and he not knowing mine!

Then as my treat we went to Waiheke Island for 3 nights; something we’ve always wanted to do, and we were not disappointed. What fantastic beaches, rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves and I suspect mayhem in the ‘silly season’ of summer. We had two wonderful meals; one from Casita Miro and the other Three Seven Two. Such a special place and only 30-minute ferry ride from Auckland.