November sees the release of Alison's 100th book, her biography, 'A Home-grown Cook'. To celebrate its arrival, she's off on a whirlwind tour around the country, so if you'd like to catch up with her and hear her saying a few words about it, check out the itinerary below.

Winton Paper Plus, Tuesday 1st November
1 – 1.30pm, 244 Great North Road
For more information phone: 03 236 7636

Gore Paper Plus, Tuesday 1st November
7 – 8.30pm, 44 Irk Street
This event is being run as a fundraiser for West Gore Home & School. Tickets are $10 from the school and Paper Plus.
For more information phone: 03 208 7528

Dunedin Paper Plus, Thursday 3rd November
1 – 1.30pm, Golden Centre, 251 George Street
For more information phone: 03 477 8898

Dunedin City Library, Thursday 3rd November
5.30 – 7.30pm, 4th floor, Dunningham Suite
Tickets cost $5 from any library branch.
For more information or to book your place phone: 03 474-3690
or email library@dcc.govt.nz

Oamaru Western Gardens, Friday 4th November
10 – 11.30am, Airedale Road
This event is being run as a fundraiser for Save the Children. Tickets are $10
For more info, and to book, please phone: Oamaru Paper Plus, tel. 03 434 7498

Timaru Paper Plus, Friday 4th November
1 – 1.30pm, 248 Stafford Street
For more information phone: 03 684 3315
 
Ashburton Paper Plus, Friday 4th November
3.30 – 4pm, 212 East Street
For more information phone: 03 308 8309

Christchurch, Middleton Grange School, Friday 4th November
7.30 – 9.30pm, Acacia Avenue (car parking available in Arthur Street)
This event is being run as a fundraiser for Women On Air. Tickets are $12
For more info, and to book, please phone Merivale Paper Plus 03 964 3836 or the fabulous Ruth Todd on 03 384 4721

Merivale Paper Plus, Saturday 5th November
10.30 – 11am, Shop 2, Merivale Mall, 189 Papanui Rd
For more information phone: 03 964 3836

Wellington, Saturday 5th November
3.30 – 5.30pm, Marsden Books, 159 Karori Road
Places are limited, RSVPs are requested to Marsden Books, tel. 04 476 8066

Coastlands Paper Plus, Monday 7th November
1pm - 1.30pm, Coastlands Shopping Mall, State Highway 1, Paraparaumu
For more information phone: 04 298 8900

Levin Paper Plus, Monday 7th November
4 – 4.15pm, 201 Oxford Street
For more information phone: 06 368 5013
 
Palmerston North Central Library, Monday 7th November
7 - 9pm, 1st Floor, Central Library
Tickets are $5 from the Issues Desk or Paper Plus (and includes refreshments)
For more information contact Paper Plus:
06 359 4635
palmerstonnorth@paperplus.co.nz
or the Palmerston North Central Library:
06 351 4519
promotions@pncc.govt.nz

Masterton Paper Plus, Tuesday 8th November
6 – 7.30pm, 18 Queen Street
For more information phone: 06 378 8300

Te Awamutu Paper Plus, Wednesday 9th November
11 – 11.20am,  263 Alexandra Street
For more information phone: 07 871 5257

Cambridge, Wright’s Bookshop, Wednesday 9th November
12.15 – 12.45pm, 54 Victoria Street
For more information phone: 07 827 4360  

Hamilton, TheBase Paper Plus, Wednesday 9th November
3.30 – 4pm, Shop 112, The Base Retail Park, Maahanga Drive
For more information phone: 07 849 0945
 
Hamilton, Penny’s Books, Wednesday 9th November
7.30 – 9.30pm, Westfield Chartwell, Cnr Hukanui & Comries Rds, Chartwell
This event is being run as a fundraiser for Hamilton Plunket and the Waikato Family Centre. Tickets are $10 from Penny’s, Hamilton Plunket and Waikato Family Centre (drinks & nibbles included)
For more info, and to purchase tickets, phone: 07 854 8389

Thames Club, Thames, Thursday 10th November
11.30am – 1.30pm, Corner Mackay and Mary Streets
Join Alison for conversation and a light lunch. Tickets cost $20 and are available from Carsons Bookshop and the Thames Club bar. Profits from this event will be put towards Club renovations. Doors open at 11am.
For more information, phone Carsons Bookshop: 07 868 6301   
  
Pukekohe Take Note, Thursday 10th November
4 – 4.30pm, 43 King Street
For more information phone: 09 238 5771

Auckland, Westgate, Saturday 12th November
11.30 – 11.45am, The Warehouse, Westgate, Fernhill Drive
For more information phone: 09 833 4417

Auckland, Sylvia Park, Saturday 12th November
12.30 – 12.45pm, The Warehouse, Mt Wellington Highway
For more information phone: 09 985 0510

Auckland, St Helier’s Community Library, Saturday 12th November
2 – 2.30pm, corner Polygon & St Heliers Bay Road
For more information phone St Helier’s Take Note, tel. 09 575 4971

Auckland, Eastridge Paper Plus, Saturday 12th November
3 – 3.30pm, Shop 16, Eastridge Shopping Mall, 209 Kepa Road
For more information phone: 09 521 5402

Auckland, Howick Paper Plus, Saturday 12th November
4.15 – 4.45pm, 71 Picton Street
For more information phone: 09 534 8715

Auckland Central Library, Monday 14th November
6 – 7.30pm, 44 – 46 Lorne Street
This is a free event but bookings are highly recommended. Call 09 377 0209 to reserve your place.

Auckland, Cook the Books, Tuesday 15th November
6 – 7.30pm, 139 Richmond Rd, (corner Norfolk St), Grey Lynn
Spaces are limited for this event. Tickets are $5 (redeemable against the purchase price of the book)
Please RSVP to books@cookthebooks.co.nz or Tel. 09 360 6513

Orewa Library, Wednesday 23rd November
11am – 12.30pm, 12 Moana Avenue
Tickets are $5 (includes a light lunch) and are available to purchase from the reception desk.
Phone Orewa Library on 09 426 8249 to reserve your place.

Auckland, Glenfield Paper Plus Christmas Party, Tuesday 29th November
6 – 8.30pm, Shop 306, Westfield Glenfield Shopping Centre, Cnr Glenfield Rd & Downing Street
For more information phone: 09 441 7084

Invercargill Parents Centre

Invercargill Parents Centre are holding a fundraiser this Friday night at 645pm at the Ascot Park Hotel.

Simon Holst will be there doing a demonstration for the fundraiser. Set with loads of delicious recipes you are sure to go home happy.

tickets are avalible through the Westpac Bank in invercargill and Jag.

Explore the Western Cape of South Africa with Simon in 2012

While I have done my share of travelling, I've have always been a little apprehensive about travelling to South Africa - partly because of its troubled political history and partly that I've never been quite sure what to expect....

Recently my curiosity has grown (especially with South Africa's recent success as the Soccer World cup host). South Africans I've met here in New Zealand and while travelling overseas paint a picture of a vast country with bustling cities as well as extraordinary natural beauty and wildlife. From my perspective as a foodie, South Africa has a fascinating cuisine with influences from its indigenous people, the Dutch,
German and British settlers, as well as food from India, China and Malaysia. The Western Cape Province seems the obvious place to start a gastronomic adventure - while beauty alone could probably explain its popularity as South Africa's major tourist destination, there is also 'The Winelands'. This area encompasses Stellenbosch, which boasts more than 150 wineries, and Franschhoek districts (amongst others), and has a history of more than 350 years of wine production. Happily, with boutique wineries come cafes and restaurants, making the whole region sound like a foodies paradise!

Grant, the local guide has produced a truly mouth-watering itinerary including cooking classes and wine tastings with local experts, along with the chance to 'get up close and personal' with some of the amazing wildlife Africa has to offer. He's managed all this, while somehow also including the chance for some independent sightseeing, shopping or just relaxation. I think it's an opportunity not to be missed and I'd love
you to join me as I explore this exciting destination.

Simon Holst

For more details visit: www.awayonholiday.co.nz