Last week I promised a bit more of a peek inside the book I helped Tai Tapu School's PTA prepare, cook, style and photograph, a significant fundraiser for the school.


Front Cover Photography: Amanda Jenkins

The Edible Journey Cookbook is a collection of 200 recipes in 8 delectable chapters, covering all meals from Breakfast through to Dessert, including a chapter dedicated to encourage Kids into the kitchen.
All the recipes were sourced from within the Banks Peninsula community, with several restaurants and cafes contributing. Oh yes there's a couple of my own recipes in the book too, including these"Feta and Herb Stuffed Courgette Blossoms."







Each chapter also shares local history and introduces some of the regions fabulous food producers throughout the journey from Halswell to Akaroa, the stunning Otahuna Lodge, Barry's Bay Cheese and Akaroa Salmon to name a few.





With hundreds on hundreds of recipes submitted for consideration, it was a full on 18 months of decision making, recipe testing, researching and sourcing the best local produce in season for an extensive number of people.

Most of my contribution was recreating the recipes, styling and shooting the images at home in my studio, however very occasionally I made my way through to the other side of Christchurch to shoot on location.
Here we are working on the back cover with platinum sponsor Obelisk.



Of course there are many, many images that didn't make the final cut, for whatever reason, lack of space, design, the recipe being pulled… the out-takes! Here below are some of my favourites.


















I have a copy of The Edible Journey to give away to one lucky reader, unfortunately due to the nasty postal costs, I can only offer the prize to New Zealand or Australian residents.
To Enter you need to leave a comment on this post telling me your favourite region for locally produced food (not wine!) in New Zealand, is it Central Otago for it's apricots? Marlborough for it's scallops, Gisbourne / Hawkes Bay for oranges?
You tell me!

**Update**
Entries closed midnight (NZDST) on Friday the 13th of December.
Winner announced on Monday 16th of December


However if you miss out on winning this time around, you can also purchase the book online through their website www.ediblejourneycookbook.co.nz, Scorpio Books in Christchurch or at any of the participating businesses.



Good Luck!


Update: I'm hosting another giveaway on my latest blog post, 30 Sweet Christmas Packs from Billington's Sugar!