Blog
Proposed Gene Editing Legislation could undermine New Zealand's clean and green image
Voltaire’s name is widely recognised, yet his historical context often remains obscured. Voltaire (1694-1778) was famous in his own lifetime. Celia Hay reflects on the life of this important man.
Mount Aspiring Hut sits upon a long, verdant river-flat of the Matukituki River, two hours drive northwest of Wānaka. From this hut, you can do a range of day hikes.
The best aspect about attending a conference on gastronomy is that you meet lots of people who like food (and wine)! Launceston 2024
New Zealand’s TOP 50 most influential & inspiring women in food & drink, Nadia Lim was awarded SUPREME WOMAN IN FOOD & DRINK 2024. I was honoured to be included on this list for a second time in 2024.
The Bocuse Family are celebrating 100 years. I was privileged to dine here with my son, Daniel and savour a line-up of some of Paul Bocuse’s most iconic dishes.
Pinus pinea or Stone pine is the source premium pine nuts and favoured ingredient of pesto. They are are growing in Marlborough.
Visiting both Finland and Sweden, it’s hard to avoid noticing the trees. Foresty covers 75% of Finland's land mass and around 69% of Sweden.
June Hay of Pigeon Bay (1931-1923).
Forests of France: old oak trees transformed into wine barrels
The reputation of France as gastronomic food and wine powerhouse is evident when you visit the medieval town of Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy's wine country. The Hospices de Beaune Annual Wine Auction launches host of food and wine events.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, charcuterie, meats, fish and shellfish, pastries and breads are eagerly bought at markets around France. Here are some of my photos from the Saturday markets in Chablis in Burgundy and Epernay in Champagne.
I have known of Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820) all my life, as person behind Captain Cook's naming of Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, New Zealand
The Hollyford River dominates the valley as it winds west from the mountains of the Southern Alps to the Tasman Sea. In December 2022, I ventured there with Oliver and Alice Hay to hike the 56 km journey of the Hollyford Track.
Celia Hay awarded the Sir George Fistonich Medal 2022 in recognition of services to New Zealand Wine.
A fine line-up of Man O’War wines introduced by winemaker Duncan McTavish and David Nash.
Beyond the magnificent beaches of Noosa and the Sunshine Coast, you can also discover remnants of ancient rainforests dominated by numerous species of eucalyptus otherwise known as gum trees.
Sir Miles Warren (1929 - 2022) has endowed Christchurch, not only with his buildings but also with his home and gardens.
Banks Peninsula’s Te Ara Pātaka; the summit walkway traverses parts of the ancient crater rim that flanks both Akaroa and Lyttleton Harbours.
Presenting AUT Auckland University of Technology Professional Wine Knowledge programme this week, I was able to pull from the cellar a flight of wines that demonstrates that aging wine brings forth new characteristics that are not always apparent in young wines.
It's been 10 years since the Christchurch earthquake forced Celia Hay out of her food and wine business in the city, and 2021 was another challenging year. Read the full story by Joelle Thomson for the New Zealand Wine Growers magazine.
Bruce Springsteen is one of those singers, whose distinctive, raspy voice is easy to identify even if the lyrics are hard to decipher.
Mount Aspiring (Tititea) National Park dominates the Central Otago highlands. Snow-crusted mountains that soar beyond 2000 meters, snow tussocks about 500 metres and New Zealand beech trees flank the lower altitudes. The Siberia Stream Valley leads on to the Gillespie Pass but a side trip can take you to Lake Crucible at the foot of a glacier.
With NZQA approval for 13 micro-credentials, the New Zealand School Food and Wine hopes to inspire and attract new people to jobs in hospitality, wine and tourism and also enhance wider community understanding of our food and beverage story.
That chance and circumstance played such a central role in the foundation of New Zealand as a British colony is startling. Professor Bain Attwood's book Empire and the Making of Native Title, 2020 explains this extraordinary story.
Running along the coastline, shielded from the Waitemata by Tamaki Drive, lies the Hobson Bay Walkway. This urban adventure can be joined at a number of access points; from Shore Road and also via flights of steps that lead down to the bay from a series of Parnell streets.
On July 11 2021, we unveiled an interpretation panel to give context to the reserve that, according to botanist and conservationist Hugh Wilson, is a remnant of lowland podocarp/hardwood and “one of the best, if not the best, of only four or five very small surviving fragments in the whole region” of Banks Peninsula.
Walking into the Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum Banks Peninsula, it’s hard not to feel the urge to salute the mighty totara tree, once so abundant on Banks Peninsula, and now remembered as waka (canoe), or fence post or roof shingles or tiles.
Everyone living in Christchurch has their own personal story of this time; some of tragedy or heroism, others recalling small steps to help friends or family or strangers or even to offer emotional support to rise-up again after such challenges.
Celia Hay is launching the new courses this year at the New Zealand School of Food and Wine, which she founded in 1995 in Christchurch, then relocated to Auckland in 2011 after the quakes.
The evolution of New Zealand as a vine-growing, wine producing country is also a story of the New Zealand Dream; of inspired entrepreneurs, captivated by the aromas, flavours and sociability of wine.
Recently we were able to celebrate the launch with a wine tasting (naturally) and a guest appearance by the illustrious wine maker and winery photographer, Kevin Judd.
First published in 2014, the completely updated second edition of the book will provide a useful and accessible resource for people wishing to extend their knowledge of New Zealand wines.
Celia Hay, founder of the New Zealand School of Food and Wine, reflects on a life in hospitality.
The New Zealand School Of Food & Wine celebrates its 25th Anniversary.
Three days hiking along the Dart River at the side of Mount Earnslaw at the head of Lake Wakatipu.
Gisborne is the first city in the world to see the sun each day and experience the energy of that first light.
Celebrating the launch of the World Atlas of Wine (8th Ed) by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson.
What an incredible treat to enjoy The Fat Duck journey.
This Volcanic region is famous for its local wines. Located just north of Naples and not far from Mount Vesuvio.
Yinchuan, the capital city of Ningxia Hui Autonomous region is where the great Mongol Emperor Ghengis Khan met his death around 1227.
Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, it is crammed full of notable buildings, temples, beautiful gardens and its food delicacies and sake offer another unique experience.
Congratulations to New Zealand Sommelier Maciej Zimny along with his team won the One Belt One Road Sommelier Summit Competition in Ningxia.
The ASI Association of Sommeliers InternationalAsia Oceania Competition was held in Kyoto. Andrea Martinisi and Marek Przyborek were representing New Zealand, and placed 5thand 6threspectively.
In June, I was fortunate to visit Georgia for the General Assembly of the ASI Association of Sommeliers International and to present New Zealand's creditentials for membership.
Driving around the narrow, windy roads through the bush-clad Tuscan hills it is easy to see why there is a proliferation of communes and villages, with romantic Italian names, that designate a particular wine style and terroir.
A special gastronomic lunch at Champagne Louis Roederer was savoured in the luxurious surroundings of the Roederer Mansion followed by a tour of the winery and visit to a small portion of Roederer's 5 kilometres of cellar that lies beneath the city of Reims.
In May, the Sommelier Union of Austria hosted the European Sommelier Competition in Vienna and in my role as chairperson of the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Association, I was invited to attend.
Congratulations to Raimonds Tomsons from Latvia to who won the Best Sommelier for Europe and Africa.
The sommeliers would split into different groups with each one headed for an important wine region in Victoria - Geelong, Yarra, Macedon Ranges and Mornington Peninsula. My group headed to Mornington to learn about their signature Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs and discover that they also make excellent Pinot Gris.
The wines of the Hungarian region of Tokaj, or as they say it “toe-kay,” are a window into the past.
Mendoza is both a city and a province and is located in the far west of Argentina. It is 1000 km from Buenos Aires and less than 200 km to Santiago, Chile, via National Route 7, a road that winds through the Andes and takes 7- 8 hours to drive.
The vibrant wine culture in Argentina has enabled it to host the ASI Association of Sommeliers International's Best Sommelier in the World.