The pod squad gathers for the last time this year to celebrate and commiserate the best and worst food and drink of 2020.

In the final episode of the year, Sophie, Alice and Simon share their culinary highlights and lowlights from a year that had nearly everything. It started with Simon and Sophie adding children to their lives – and a breast milk taste test – and it ended with the hospitality industry hanging by a thread. 

Through it all we saw exciting innovation from restaurants, cafes and bars, as they tried to stay afloat through Covid-19. We desperately missed our cafe coffee and watched sourdough baking take off through lockdown. When we escaped from our homes we rediscovered our old favourites and new places around the country making delicious food. 

Finally, to end the year we have a book to give away: Beyond the Vines: The Changing Landscape of Wine in Aotearoa New Zealand by Jules van Costello. Beyond the Vines tells the stories of 65 of the country’s most exciting and innovative producers, and looks at the history and future of the wine regions as well as the 50+ grape varieties New Zealand grows. 

Send us a photo of you having a glass of wine in the most summery spot possible and go into win one of two copies. 

PS: In this episode we talk about the Hip Group’s new restaurant in Auckland being called Ada, the same name as the new restaurant in Auckland’s Convent Hotel. We were entirely wrong, it’s not! It’s called Alma.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast provider. Please share Dietary Requirements with your friends and get in touch if you have any questions or requests: aliceneville@thespinoff.co.nz