Cafe chat: //

Barker’s is turning 50 and, to celebrate, the sauce and chutney company has opened a foodstore and eatery on the banks of the Waih¯ı River in Geraldine.

There’s a tasting room stocked with Barker’s products and a cafe offering a seasonal menu, including avocado on toast topped with beetroot relish, house-made granola with compote, pork belly, and pear and fig chutney pie.

There’s a children’s menu, and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.

Punky Brewster supplies the beer, Allpress Espresso is brewed all day, and wines from 27 Seconds are also available.

71 Talbot St, Geraldine

If you’re heading south this summer, there’s a new place in Wa¯naka for craft beers and burgers.

Housed within b.effect brewery, b.social offers an easy-going atmosphere in which to enjoy a drink with friends.

There are about 12 craft beers, two wines, two ciders, ginger beer, and kombucha available.

The b.social kitchen offers burgers, hot dogs, ribs, and jalapeno poppers.

Owner and brewer James Hay says his favourite pour is the Pop’n Pils or Wa¯naka Lager paired with a beef burger with bacon onion jam.

60 Anderson Rd, Wa¯naka

On January 25, Hagley Park will host the Great Kiwi Beer Festival.

More than 300 craft beers and ciders will be on tap at the event, from more than 35 New Zealand breweries.

There will be an array of gourmet street food vendors, and live music acts Dragon, The Mutton Birds, Summer Thieves, The Raddlers, and Your Indigo will perform.

Sweet Soul Patisserie 126 Cashel St, Christchurch

Tucked away in the Guthrey Centre’s laneways, you’ll find Sweet Soul Patisserie, a French-inspired dessert shop.

The cabinet is always full of surprises when it comes to petit cakes made with local ingredients, featuring curious flavour profiles and unusual edible elements, such as flowers and gold leaf.

Each delicate cake is as artful as it is delicious. Every item is handmade each morning, and there are always plenty of dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan items on offer.

For Christmas, Sweet Soul Patisserie has launched three holiday-themed items, including the Baileys Bauble, which features caramel mousse, chocolate and Baileys cremeux, light coffee sponge and crunchy feuilletine.

This summer its well-loved pina colada dessert will return to the menu and, in mid-January, expect exciting Chinese New Year treats followed by another batch of special sweets for Valentine’s Day.

Life & Style editor: Emma Chamberlain, emma.chamberlain@stuff.co.nz; Advertising inquiries: adsales@press.co.nz, 03 943 2451