27 June 2010

HIGH TEA FOR LOIS DAISH

The Museum Hotel in Wellington does everything splendidly. On Friday local foodies, the Mayor of Wellington and members of the NZ Guild of Food Writers gathered there over High Tea and a glass or two of bubbles to celebrate the contribution Lois Daish has made to the New Zealand food scene. As President of the NZGFW it was my honour to present Lois with her Honorary Life Membership brooch.

Wellington has a wealth of accompalished food personalities and many came to celebrate Lois' food writing and the part she had played in the local cafe and restaurant scene. Simon Holst, David Burton, Ruth Pretty, Jeff Kennedy, Brett Newell, Margaret Brooker, Anna Tait Jamieson, and the ever popular Al Brown (pictured above with Lois and myself) all enjoyed delicate sandwiches, dainty pastries and selection of lovely teas served in the sort of teacups my grandmother had. It was a fitting and wonderful tribute to a wonderful writer and personality.

And Lois, in her understated and humble manner, told us that she was really delighted with this recognition but now that she has retired her cooking has improved and is far better than it ever was.