The call for a flat white is so common that many see it coming before it arrives. Do we even ask ourselves anymore: “What do I feel like?” We slip into routine with our morning cup of joe – Flat White, Long Black, Cappuccino with Cinnamon.

At Opera Kitchen we have been playing with some alternatives. Spring seems a good time to break habits, take up new hobbies, develop fresh tastes. We’ve been inspired by the goodness of turmeric root and so have introduced a Golden Latte to our hot drinks offering. With honey, spices and almond milk this is breakfast in a glass!  But it’s also a relaxing brew for late afternoon. For a real caffeine hit we now offer pour over coffee. It doesn’t have the bite of a standard long black and it does deliver a wake up and take note statement!  Rethink your regular and give your taste buds a taste buzz!

We’re in the Christmas dip, half way between the two festive seasons. With the rise of mid-winter Christmas we’ve got a great excuse to don a frock and pull a cracker with friends. But it’s also a great time to start thinking about where to hold the end-of-year office bash. It doesn’t need to be just chips, beers and crepe-paper streamers in the photocopy room, it can be candlelight, fine cuisine with matching wines, ambience and a little bit of decadence.

The Christmas ‘work do’ needs to be more than simply the obligatory get together before the real festivities begin, it should celebrate a year of hard grind, commitment to the cause, the highs and lows of work life. We spend 2000 hours a year working, we should get to have a real shin dig to mark that.

Good places go fast and November/December bookings can be mad, so get in early. Book a venue – we have Opera Kitchen, Parlour Projects and Smiths – to host your team, then spend the next few months looking forward to enjoying the evening.

We are very excited to see what’s possible when we put an event in the new Parlour Projects space next door. Sunday 22nd May we are collaborating with Milo & Mitzy to put the SHOP into WORKSHOP!!

Guest speaker Claudia Zinzan from Father Rabbit will present a workshop on running and expanding an online business, there will be a high tea from the Picnic with a Rod McDonald Wines rose on arrival.

The shopping part of the afternoon will be provided by five boutique stalls. Usually found only online, these five providers will share their wares with you. Enjoy a special shopping treat, with a glass of wine in your hand – what could be better?

Sunday 22 May 2-5pm. Cash bar available. $75 pp from Opera Kitchen or email info@operakitchen.co.nz to secure your ticket.

Twice a year we get involved in FAWC in Hawke’s Bay. It’s an intense month long showcase of food and wine, where wineries and eateries get creative and pull out all the stops to give people a good time. Winter FAWC creates a month of excuses to get off the couch and out into the world, and it’s a great antidote to the winter blues.

This Winter FAWC we have three FAWC events. One has sold out already – our sourdough workshops – if you missed out we hope you will get to sign up to some other great treats, or perhaps we will see you next year. Our other workshop focuses on everyone’s best friend, CHOCOLATE. This workshop is very close to selling out so don’t hesitate, book here to be part of it. We are running it twice: Friday 3rd and Friday 10th June.

Our third event is a pretty special two-parter on Friday 17th June. We are focusing on Californian wines and food. We have Brendan Nash from purveyors of fine wines Dhall and Nash presenting on the characteristics of Californian wines and how they compare to Hawke’s Bay wines. Then we will serve up a delicious spread of Californian inspired cuisine. You are able to book for both parts of the event or just one. But, believe us when we say, it’s better together!

California Cruising will be held in Hastings’ newest space: Parlour Projects. This event will introduce you to this versatile gallery space that can be used for private dinners, with Opera Kitchen providing the catering. Parlour Projects is right next door to the newly reopened Opera Kitchen in Hastings.