With juicy locally grown oranges at their peak now, it’s the perfect time to share a recipe its creator Lauraine Jacobs says is one of the most wonderful muffin recipes she’s ever baked. The whole orange is used in this muffin, with the skin adding a surprisingly fragrant flavour. If you don’t like dates, substitute sultanas or raisins.

A gifted copy of The River Café Cookbook from her sister after they dined there in August ‘98’ inspired Kathy Paterson and she’s been making their stupendous Lemon Tart ever since.

New season’s apples and the bite of winter hit at the same time, so Kathy Paterson has brought the two together with this traditional dessert.

Nothing beats the aroma of baking Hot Cross Buns wafting through your home! Kathy Paterson’s Spiced Chocolate Hot Cross Buns are perfect served with Taste of the Alps, The Farmer’s Wife, Lemon Curd and bound to become a new family favourite.

A seasonal fresh fruit tart is hard-to-beat! Kathy Paterson’s pastry is a star in its own right and any simply prepared summer fruit is the perfect partner.

Croissants are perfect for a bread and butter pudding. Use fresh or frozen blueberries, strawberries or raspberries. This recipe is from ‘It Takes a Village’ – A Guide to Matakana and its surrounding districts by Lauraine Jacobs. Photography by Ken Downie.

A play on the ginger kiss, these crisp biscuits with a short-texture that melts in your mouth are filled with creamy ice cream. They are guaranteed to wow ice cream lovers of all ages!

Kathy Paterson, who developed this recipe says Lemon Delicious is true to its name – ‘a pudding with a soft, pillowy texture and a layer of thick lemon curd at its base’. She loves serving it Appleby Passionfruit Ice Cream.

Created especially for Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards by Kathy Paterson who describes this as a good old cousin to the Bread and Butter Pudding with a SURPRISE - a dark caramel layer. Kathy suggests serving it warm with Little Lato Bespoke Gelato, and notes it’s just as good cold the next day - if there’s any left!