With Easter just around the corner bakers and chocolatiers are preparing for another big chocolate show down.

Kiwi chocolate and baking experts said this Easter season’s biggest trends are chocolate hot cross buns, chocolate bunnies and the ever-growing cupcake craze.

As consumers become increasingly savvy about recognising quality baking, café and bakery owners around New Zealand say they’ve noticed a huge change in attitude. Nowadays, many customers will go for quality over price, writes Hayley Barnett.

After a successful summer season of sizzling Saturday morning cook-offs, the Remarkables Market Chef competition is set for an exciting finale on March 31 from 10am to midday. The final will take place at the Red Barn at Remarkables Park as two local finalists, Lee Vandergeest and Naomi Lindsay, go head to head over the grill.

The VOLVO Long Lunch has found a new home in Britomart’s Takutai Square. Join 500 others on March 2 to celebrate the best of New Zealand fine food, beverage and fashion and sample a five-course feast courtesy of Café Hanoi, District Dining and Ebisu.

With the sun finally in the ascendant, Glengarry has gathered their best value picks for the long, languid days. Winestate's Winery of the Year trophy winner for 2011, Saint Clair Family Estate, is the featured winery this month. A family business, it's their second consecutive year to hold this title. Akarua have also launched two new sparklers, a brut NV and a rosé.

Monteith’s CheeseFest is taking place at The Langham in Auckland on February 29 from 5-9pm, and FBT is giving you the chance to win one of four double passes.

Kiwi consumers love to play fair. In a recent Colmar Brunton survey 69 per cent of respondents stated they are more likely to buy a product if it is Fairtrade. The good news for the industry is that we’re now very well placed to cater for these ethically minded customers beyond their daily coffee fix.

DineAid trustees, supported by RANZ and HNZ, invite restaurant, cafe and catering owners and managers to register for the annual DineAid 2011, Nov 1 – Dec 31 and sign up today online at www.menumania.co.nz

BY KATHRYN STEANE

Conscious Consumers continues to take the country by storm, having recently arrived in the Waikato.

More than 40 cafe owners, suppliers and other people showed their support for the project by attending a launch party at Hamilton’s Zinc Café & Eatery; where they enjoyed sustainable food served in eco-friendly packaging.