FEBRUARY 2026
The Tastemaker with the highest score this month will win a beautiful dinner for two.
Along with your Tastemaker box, there is a wide range of staples. Check out the list here.
What's in this month's box?
Canter Valley Duck 400g
Duck is a rich, flavourful poultry with tender meat and silky fat, perfect for slow cooking, confit, roasting, or quick searing for crisp skin and juicy results.
Coromandel Chocolate Opito Bay Salt Dark Chocolate
The finest salt in the country, combined with 72% single-origin dark chocolate from Vanuatu, creating a beautiful combination of artisan craftsmanship from the Coromandel!
ViBeri Organic Blackcurrant Powder
ViBERi Blackcurrant Powder is 100% Organic and contains only the pure goodness of New Zealand Blackcurrants.
New Zealand Plums
Plums offer a balance of sweetness and acidity, making them versatile in both sweet and savoury cooking. From roasting and baking to stewing into jams, compotes, or glazes.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is boldly acidic and aromatic, ideal for stewing, roasting, or baking, where sugar and gentle heat transform it into a balanced, jammy softness.
Blueberries
Blueberries are vibrant, juicy berries with a balance of sweetness and acidity, perfect for baking, preserving, or pairing with rich meats and dairy.
Perla Potatoes
Their small size means they’re quick to cook, retain their goodness and taste delicious. They’re high in vitamin C and fibre and have a smooth waxy texture that holds their shape well when cooked.
Divinity Pomegranate & Balsamic Vinegar Reduction
This is a wonderful aged balsamic vinegar that has been reduced with Pomegranate juice. It is of a delicious, thick consistency. Sweet and tart at the same time it makes the perfect match for hearty meats like lamb venison, pork, beef and duck.
There is a full list of staples that can be used in a dish. From flours and vinegars to spices and sauces, there's loads to help you create something delicious.
What's the scoring criteria?
Each dish will be judged on four key criteria, each rated out of 25, for a total of 100 points:
Creativity (25 points): How innovative and original is your dish? We reward bold flavour combinations and unique approaches to the mystery box ingredients.
Use of Ingredients (25 points): How effectively did you incorporate the mystery box items? Tasteraters look for thoughtful integration that highlights the provided products, rather than how many products you use.
Presentation (25 points): Does your dish look as good as it tastes? Visual appeal, plating, and attention to detail are key.
The X Factor (25 points): That special something that makes your dish stand out - whether it’s a surprising twist, storytelling, or sheer wow-factor.