The Big Foody Food Tours

26/08/2025

Hearing from our guests makes all the difference 💛.
Dunedin’s food scene is full of surprises and it’s always a joy to see how much people love discovering it with us.

24/08/2025

From LA to Texas to Tāmaki Makaurau! 🇺🇸➡️🇳🇿
Kristi & Steve, Denisse, Melissa & Rosa joined us on an Auckland food tour not so long ago — tasting their way through the city while learning how its food scene reflects our history, culture and diverse communities.
Because here, every bite tells a story.

22/08/2025

Say hello to Juli — one of our wonderful Wellington food tour guides!
She’s passionate about uncovering the capital’s best eats and sharing the stories behind them. We asked her a mix of fun and foodie questions to get to know her better & here’s what she had to say:

▶️First name: Juli
▶️What do you do at The Big Foody: Wellington Big Foody Guide
▶️The weirdest thing you’ve eaten & where: Umeboshi in Japan
▶️Sweet or savoury: Both - savoury & sweet
▶️Wine or beer: As with coffee, if I wasn't allergic to tannins, I think I'd love full bodied reds.
▶️Tea or coffee: Neither & both - but herbal & decaf! Love the smell & would be so addicted to coffee if I could!
▶️Any secret foodie spot you’re willing to share: Griffin & Pops in Waikanae
▶️Your dream food destination: The NZ bush!
▶️If you were a dish, what would it be: Kūmara (sweet potato). But for dessert with Cardamom, Orange & Almond.

20/08/2025

PSA: Our Wellington food lovers are absolutely buzzing!
If you happen to be in town, we highly recommend heading over to the Wellington Food Show from 29 August - 31 August 2025, held at Sky Stadium.
Expect over 100 exhibitors, cooking demos, cocktail classes, tasty treats—and all the foodie inspiration you can dream of!

Picture by The Food Show

18/08/2025

Congratulations to all the winners at the Cuisine Magazine Good Food Awards!

Crème de la crème of hospitality industry named at Cuisine Good Food Awards 2024Aotearoa’s most exceptional restaurants and leading culinary luminaries have been named and celebrated at our Cuisine Good Food Awards presented by American Express.

18/08/2025

It’s been properly cold lately here in New Zealand 🥶 — the kind of weather that calls for something warm, comforting and a little bit zesty.
Enter Cottages Kumeu's Chicken, Leek & Lemon Soup.

Shredded chicken, fragrant leek and a bright hit of lemon — quick and easy to make, and just the thing for a perfect winter warmer.
Find the recipe in the comments and whip up a pot to keep the chill at bay.

16/08/2025

It started with a dumpling. It ended with a full & very happy guest.

Ready to go touring with us?
Book now - link in comments below.

14/08/2025

Wellington, you never disappoint.🍴
Our Capital Bites tour last is all about good food, good company and exploring the capital’s tastiest corners — even with a bit of a winter chill in the air.
From fresh flavours to sweet treats, every stop is worth the wander.

13/08/2025

Celebrating the Cruise industry in NZ in today. The annual conference kicked off with a stunning sunrise and a roomful of hugs.
Our cruise guests are some of our favourites and we’re delighted to see so many of them come back time and time again.
We’re all looking forward to the season starting in October!

12/08/2025

Meet Sarah — one of our amazing guides here at The Big Foody!
She’s all about discovering the flavours that make Auckland special and sharing them with curious and hungry visitors. We asked her a few fun questions from foodie confessions to her dream destination. Here’s what she had to say:

▶️First name: Sarah
▶️What do you do at The Big Foody: Tour guide on city & West Auckland tours
▶️The weirdest thing you’ve eaten & where: Probably crocodile in Australia - deep fried, battered strips which were absolutely delicious. I've managed to avoid insects so far.
▶️Sweet or savoury: Definitely savoury. I could give up chocolate, but never cheese.
▶️Wine or beer: Absolutely wine, although I do enjoy a cold beer on a hot day when I've been working in the garden.
▶️Tea or coffee: Coffee. And a lot of it.
▶️Any secret foodie spot you’re willing to share: I can't resist stopping at Blue Rose Cafe in Sandringham for one of their delicious Māori/Pasifika pies when I'm driving past. My favourite is the Palusami pie which brings back memories of growing up in multicultural New Lynn.
▶️Your dream food destination: San Sebastian. I went years ago and have been dreaming of going back.
▶️If you were a dish, what would it be: Kumeu River Chardonnay - the best of the West!

10/08/2025

Foodie Tip:
The Big Foody Team is a great fan of the Matakana Village Farmers’ Market

Just a scenic 45–60min drive north of Auckland, this Saturday-morning gem is absolutely worth the side‑trip. Open every Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM, rain or shine, it’s packed with fresh local produce, artisan breads, cheeses, oysters, deli treats, flowers, great coffee, bacon butties and live music by the river.

Perfect for a gourmet day out—experience New Zealand’s finest in one visit!

Matakana Village & Farmers' Market

08/08/2025

Say hello to one of our favourites: the smooth Te Tera Pinot Noir by Martinborough Vineyard.
Bright, silky and seriously quaffable — you'll find this beauty served on some of our Auckland tours.
Cheers to discovering local gems, one glass at a time! 🍷

Photo by