The Sauce NZ

This week Tash and Vicki take down the leather-bound and exhaustive drinks list, the still-or-sparkling ambush, and why “something for everyone” so rarely delivers when the modern diner wants fewer drinks but better ones. Strap in.

In this episode of  The Sauce , Vicky and Tash sit back down with  Brianne West  (founder of  Incrediballs  and  Ethique ) to unpack what it really takes to launch a world-first, waste-free drinks brand. From a three-year R&D journey and an aborted launch to the brutal reality of “second album” expectations, Brianne shares candid insights on flavour science, consumer education, and why sustain...

This week Vicki insists on a performance review which is timely, given the very public performance review in the media right now, of controversial chefs. We discuss the implications for NZ but even as the story unfolds there is more to come and much more to discuss.

Vicki and Tash recently made it to Tasmania — and naturally, they ate and drank their way through it with absolutely no restraint. From cellar doors to oyster sheds, fine dining to roadside finds, this episode is the highlights reel you need before you book your own trip. Vicki's got the food, Tash has the drinks, and between them, nothing delicious escaped scrutiny. Ready to add a few hundred...

Vicki and Tash sit down with Miel Meyer, GM of one of New Zealand's most award-winning cheesemakers, Meyer Cheese. It's a compelling story of a Dutch family moving to NZ and creating a multi-generational family business. They have become a Cheese Awards icon, renown through the Waikato and a family favourite at the supermarket. However thanks to free trade agreements, the EU is coming for the chee...

From the Garden of Eden to the App Store, the apple has a lot to answer for. Vicki and Tash are tracing the fruit that tempted humanity, inspired scientists, and is yet another of New Zealand's world famous ingredients - in just 30min you'll know more about apples than a techbar specialist. Folklore, innovation, and more than a few crunchy opinions — this one's got layers. Consider you...

Rhi Baldock's More Than Toast is flying off the shelves in one of the year's hottest cookbooks so far. So Vicki and Tash invited her to the group chat to get saucy on giving cooks confidence in the kitchen. She's such an inspiring and practical teacher who can get anyone into the kitchen! Plus Tash is cracking open the good stuff with a 2023 Black Estate Pet Nat, and a brand new tonic...

Groceries eating your paycheck? Same. 🥦 Vicki and Tash put their collective kitchen skills together and did the maths — and if you just do these six things, you could save $50 a week on your food bill. Actual, practical, works-in-a-real-kitchen tips that don't require you to buy any new equipment or change anything drastic. Share it with all your friends. #thesaucenz #nzfood #grocerytips #savemon...

Vicki and Tash chew the cookies on the state of food criticism in New Zealand from giving feedback in a restaurant or dealing with a bad review. Of course we went to the source of all things sass when it comes to dealing with online bullies, talking with Erin Clarkson AKA @cloudykitchen who has perfected the art of dealing with criticism.

21 years producing landmark dining experiences in Hamilton is no small feat, so Vicki and Tash go behind the scenes with one of New Zealand's most down to earth but high achieving chefs, from beloved Waikato institution, Palate. Along the way, get ready for endearing love letters to Waikato growers and why the open pass was designed to rid the kitchen of bad behaviour.

Tash and Vicki dive deep into the crisis facing wine across Australia, Europe and the innovation happening in China. And who's to blame? Not who you think! Join us for this ride through wine, wine politics and changing consumer desire.

Join Vicki and Tash as we investigate what New Zealand's best cooks are willing to shortcut in the kitchen versus making from scratch. Not to mention our own pantry habits to make cooking easy.

Welcome back to The Sauce - because Tash and Vicki simply couldn't stay away from the group chat. This season we dive into hot food issues and plenty of straight talkin' about what makes New Zealand delicious. This week, we tackle all manner of protein heavy recipes in Vicki's quest for perfect macros. Tash just chews her way through the black bean brownies.

Tash and Vicki finally catch up on some travel adventures and dive into the winter goodies getting us through - like beef cheeks and warm cocktails. We put Wonderland Chocolate to the taste test before catching up with Kate Necklen ahead of Chocstock this weekend! Dive in - and visit https://www.wonderlandchocolate.co.nz/

To celebrate 21 episodes of The Sauce and our first negative review - Tash and Vicki welcome David Wrigley, the Editor of The Feed Weekly to the show to talk about what makes a good story, what makes us tick and some of what is coming next as we continue to love telling New Zealand food and beverage stories. Please show your support by rating and reviewing this podcast, sharing it with your friend...

The cold blast has arrived so Vicki talks us through her slow-cooked lamb ragu and homemade pasta for just $15 to feed the family! Then Tash leads through a tasting of New Zealand made vermouths before we chat to the New Zealand winners of The Perfect Blend NZ - a cocktail competition that will see NZ go head to head with Australia in the grand final next month in Queenstown. Go behind the scenes...

Vicki and Tash dive deep into flattened croissants and all things tea, not to mention the commercial challenges posed by DoorDash's expansion into Hamilton. Then we explore a food forest like no other.

This week Vicki sings the praises of crispy chicken skin and then Tash delivers the 7 cookie taste test challenge before we talk to co-founder Alistair Parker about Molly Woppy's launch into Woolworths stores.

Tash and Vicki chat all things soda and apple cider vinegar with Fiona and Rogie from Sidekick Soda! Plus the usual puns and taste trials!

Vicki puts a new halloumi trick to the test and it will revolutionise the way you eat your squeaky cheese! Plus we dive into Awards season chatting with Kathie Bartley from the Outstanding Food Producers awards, right after Tash finished judging over 166 samples of whisky.

This episode Tash catches up with the incredible Ben Bayly - who pushes innovation and the New Zealand food story across his tv shows, restaurants and in almost every breath. Plus Vicki talks school holiday tricks and why we all need to think again when complaining about vege prices - she's found a deep love of eggplant!

In this episode we dive into popping Methode Marlborough, have a giggle about who really eats more chocolate and get down and dirty with our metaphorical Redbands talking to Daniel Eb from Open Farms, about getting urban Kiwis back to the farm to understand what's really going on.

It's the week before Easter and Vicki's got a bee in her bonnet about Easter trading hours while Tash confesses - she's just not that into chocolate, unless it's dark, dark, dark. Vicki brings Thomas Capdevielle from Coromandel Chocolate onto the show to win her over. http://thefeed.co.nz http://instagram.com/thefeednz http://instagram.com/tashmcgill http://instagram.com/nourishmag...

This week Vicki talks roast chicken, Tash shares her Awildian gin collaboration and the spicy sauce: Vicki wonders why all those people who say they'd love to be in hospitality aren't working in it? So Tash brings Alice Taylor to the show - on the cusp of releasing her brand new cookbook and fresh off a rollercoaster of kitchens and working in hospitality since she appeared on Masterchef.

Tash and Vicki welcome Sarah Meikle in studio to talk about all things food tourism and her exciting new ventures. Tash cries foul for Turkish eggs featuring Polish sausage and we're trying Moksha X Cassia collaboration gin in celebration of all things India and spice.