The new Listener food columnist, Lauraine is an award-winning food writer and has spent 25 years teaching, speaking, and writing about food. She is passionate about New Zealand’s wonderful culinary scene. A former Food Editor of Cuisine magazine, proud winner of two Gold Ladles in the World Food Media Awards, Past President of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, and current President of the NZ Guild of Food Writers, Lauraine was awarded an MNZM in 2009 for services to the food industry.

Her recipes are practical and modern, geared to the passionate cook who likes to entertain. Her popular book, ‘The Confident Cook’, is on the bookshelves of many of New Zealand’s best cooks, and recently she co-authored ‘The New Zealand Vegetable Cook Book’, with Ginny Grant and Kathy Paterson.

She has recently edited two best selling charity cookbooks, ‘Treasury of NZ Baking’ (earning almost $40,000 in royalties for Breast Cancer Foundation) and ‘Comfort Food for Sharing’ to fundraise for the National Starship Foundation.

Lauraine eats out and travels extensively in pursuit of the perfect meal and constantly updates her fascinating website www.laurainejacobs.co.nz.