Latest news with #Iconic
Top Gear
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Buy Renault 4 Price, PPC or HP
Buying What should I be paying? The most basic spec is called Evolution and it looks good value at £26,995. Externally it's much like the top spec, including 18in wheels, auto wipers, 10.1in touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, two USB-Cs at the front, cruise control, keyless entry, rear parking sensors and (actually quite terrible) rear view camera. It also has a heat pump; good for winter efficiency. The 52kWh battery, 148bhp motor and 250-mile WLTP range are the same on all versions. We'd dearly like a bigger battery option to break that 300-mile barrier, but suspect the extra weight would undo all the good work on the suspension. Not to mention the packaging. Can't have it all. Advertisement - Page continues below The step up to the Techno trim is £2,000. It's the one we'd pick: you get the denim-style bronze-stitched upholstery, plus Google-based satnav and EV route-planner, a bigger driver's screen, Arkamys sound system, electric folding mirrors, wireless charger, fabric dashboard, ambient lighting, adaptive cruise, paddle shifters for the regen, and the driving modes. Two extra USB-Cs find their way into the back. Iconic tops the list at £30,995. It's mostly cosmetic tweaks: non-body coloured roof, black door mirrors and roof rails etc outside, plus the even fancier cloth/leather interior you can see above, inclusive of the illuminated 'Renault 4' on the dash. The tailgate becomes powered, the front seats and steering wheel heated, the cruise control gains lane centring and you get other safety gizmos like sign recognition and rear cross traffic alert. A vast fabric sunroof is coming as an option, but you can't have that and roof rails. What'll it cost me in electricity? At home? Peanuts. Depends on your tariff of course but get one of those handy overnight deals and you'll replenish the battery for as little as a fiver, maybe less. At a really dear public rapid charger the maths inevitably go south: ball park, it'll be £30 for a three-quarter top-up. Hope you're not doing those on the regular. Advertisement - Page continues below The Renault 4 doesn't boast crazy-high charge power – just 100kW – but as it's efficient and the battery is smallish, you recover a good slice of extra range in a short time without having to look for an ultra-rapid charger. In numbers, that's 15-80 per cent in half an hour, which will get you another two hours of motorway driving. It'll also accept three-phase AC charging at 11kW, for a complete charge in four and a half hours. Plus it can deliver power outward – vehicle-to-load. While some cars have hopelessly optimistic range-to-go meters next to the speedo, Renault's is pretty accurate, adjusting its prediction according to your recent driving style, and even whether you'll be gaining or losing altitude in the rest of your trip. The R4's charge system is designed for vehicle-to-grid too, so you can make money by charging when juice is cheap and sell it back to the grid at expensive times. But that takes complicated certification and isn't yet ready in the UK. Future-proofed though, right?
Perth Now
12-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Brand called out for ‘deceptive' move
Shoppers have voiced outrage after a popular e-commerce retailer advertised AI-generated models and product images on its platform, labelling the move 'deceptive'. An Australian woman called out Atoir, a Melbourne-based label, for using AI-generated images of a model and clothing, available for purchase on The Iconic. 'Saw this on The Iconic,' she wrote on Reddit. 'The brand ATOIR is using AI models for their clothing. Feels so deceptive.' The Melbourne fashion brand created a model using AI. The Iconic Credit: Supplied The dress in this image isn't real either. The Iconic Credit: Supplied The website features two images of a brunette woman wearing a white dress, taken from the front and back. At the very bottom of the item's product description, the brand said the model's measurements 'represents a size S/8 and is standing at 5'10' but disclosed neither the clothing, nor the model, were real. 'Please note that this eCommerce imagery has been crated (sic) using artificial intelligence technology and does not feature a real model,' the product description read. 'These AI generated visuals are designed to represent our products accurately and creatively.' The same AI model displays other Atoir items on the website without any mention of AI-generated imagery. The Iconic disclosed the brand was using AI-generated models in some product descriptions but failed to mention it in others. Reddit Credit: Supplied Online, Australian customers voiced their frustration with the AI-generated models, arguing it did not accurately represent the item they wanted to buy. '(A) $400 dress and you can only see an image generated version of it before you buy it,' a comment read. Others argued the AI-generated image failed to represent the fit of the clothing on a human body and other angles of the clothing. 'AI cannot replicate the way a garment sits on the body, or the way different types of fabric drape,' a person wrote. 'They might as well just take a flat lay photo of the garment, that would actually be more useful.' Another said the move was 'so wildly unappealing' and discouraged them from making a purchase. 'It's just a realistic looking line drawing at this point,' they wrote. 'I can't say I'm prepared to shell out hundreds of dollars online when I don't even get to see an actual garment.' Many other products featured the same AI-generated model. The Iconic Credit: Supplied Many shoppers voiced their concern with the AI-generated images. The Iconic Credit: Supplied Interlunar Media director Krishna Chandak said AI visuals could 'often miss the mark' if used for advertising retail, skincare and fitness products compared with 'commoditised sectors' and could 'definitely affect consumer trust and brand credibility'. 'In categories like skincare, fashion, or wellness, where authenticity and emotional connection matter, AI visuals often miss the mark,' he told NewsWire. He said 'real content consistently outperforms' AI-generated content, which may '(raise) questions around transparency and ethics'. 'Whether it's user-generated content, branded shoots, or genuine storytelling, the return on investment is almost always stronger with authentic visuals,' he said. Retail experts warn brands about relying on AI-generated images, as they could dissuade shoppers. The Iconic Credit: Supplied Experts suggest sticking to 'traditional' methods of creating product images, including real photographers and models. The Iconic Credit: Supplied The Ad Firm chief executive Kevin Heimlich said retailers using AI were walking on an 'ethical tightrope' that could discourage shoppers from trusting a brand. He said while AI may 'create a technically perfect image', it may also 'lack the soul and relatability that genuinely resonate with a target audience and encourage them to convert'. 'AI can whip up these incredibly slick, almost perfect images. They look amazing, truly aspirational,' he told NewsWire. 'If that image does not exactly match the real item a customer receives, you have a problem.'Mr Heimlich said shoppers may be disappointed when the item arrived at their doorstep. 'When a customer opens their package and sees something that does not quite align with what they saw online, it is a direct path to disappointment, frustration, and often, a return,' he said. Shoppers may lose trust in a brand if it relies on AI-generated images, retail experts say. NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Heimlich said there was a risk of 'breeding distrust' if retailers relied on AI-generated product images, leading customers to wonder if the brand is 'intentionally trying to mislead them'. 'Such damage to a brand's reputation and consumer trust can take a considerable amount of time to repair, and it undoubtedly impacts future sales,' he said. Mr Heimlich urged retailers to consider relying on traditional photography and models to negate the lack of 'emotional connection and storytelling' that came with AJ-generated imagery. 'A skilled photographer, or a model who embodies the essence of your brand, does so much more than show the product,' he told NewsWire. 'AI, in its current form, often struggles to replicate that nuanced human artistry and emotional depth.' The Iconic and Atoir did not immediately respond to NewsWire's questions.
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
The Fin who started Wales' revolution to Euro 2025
He's the man many credit with starting the revolution towards qualification for a first ever major long journey to Euro 2025 was achieved via various pivotal moments over the last 30 years, but was the unheralded arrival of a Finnish former history teacher one of the biggest?"The Wales women's senior team still holds a special place in my heart" says Jarmo Matikainen as he speaks to a smiling Jess Fishlock for the BBC documentary series, Iconic: The Rise of the Women in Red, telling the story of the national team ahead of this summer's finals in Switzerland.11 years have passed since his involvement in the team but the stars of today still remember how telling his contribution was. The first full time manager Prior to his arrival in 2010, eight different people had been manager of the 'official' Wales women's senior team, but Matikainen was the first to take the role on a full-time basis."I was interested because there was a possibility to build something," he said."The situation when I arrived was that there was very little in place."First of all, I felt that we needed to make sure that the structure is as professional as possible."There were quite a lot of actually good players, a lot of work to do but also a lot of may have been full-time, but the international set up was anything was no permanent training base, and he had to manage not just the senior side but also take charge of the age grade teams as well."During the time I was there, I was putting forward proposals for the whole structure."We tried to increase the number of games we played in general."We managed to get to the Algarve Cup and you remember how important that was to us to be able to play against the best teams."That was an important part of that team building." "We got caught doing a chocolate run to Tesco's" Matikainen didn't just challenge the FAW for more, he also demanded ultimate professionalism from his players as he sought to transform the team."It's black or white with Jarmo, I think it's because he used to be a teacher," said former international Gwennan Harries who recalls his strict regime for episode two of the series on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds."The expectations that he had, at first it took us all by shock, but when you were in camp you realised, he was just pushing us."He brought in a lot of rules that we weren't used to."We all laugh about it now but at meals we couldn't have any ketchup because it had too much sugar in it, and we needed to lose weight."But we'd never spoken to a nutritionist and none of us really realised those added things help towards your professionalism to get the best out of your body."We were so clueless in that aspect."He just made us realise that it's how it should be."You are elite level players, you are playing for your country, so you need to be treating every situation in a professional manner."We were sometimes a little bit desperate for some chocolate."Jess Fishlock and I did a team run once to Tesco's and got caught."He wasn't too impressed!" His new rules brought results though and for the first time Wales seriously competed for a play-off place in their qualifying lost the decisive winner takes all final match against Scotland in 2012 to miss out on Euro 2013 in same thing happened two years later when they were edged out in Lviv against Ukraine, finishing three points behind their rivals in World Cup result brought an end to his four-year spell in charge but the foundations he put in place would allow the team to flourish in the years to come and ultimately secure their historic qualification for Euro 2025. "He was the start of the change for us" Matikainen would be followed by former captain Jayne Ludlow, then Gemma Grainger before Canadian Rhian Wilkinson finally got them over the line in last as the team prepare to finally take their place on the major tournament stage, today's star players who he helped nurture are quick to point to the significance of his influence."When he came in, that was my first experience of senior football," captain Angharad James said."His background was military, so it was if you were on time, you were actually considered to be late."So you were ten minutes early for everything just in case"But I do think he did change women's football in Wales forever."He had the under-17's, the under-19's and the seniors and that doesn't happen anymore."I think he did all he could, and I think he did a great job with what he had in front of him at the time."The changes he could make, he was fighting for us for better"He created a foundation and when you look back, he was the start of the change for us."Former skipper Sophie Ingle made her Wales debut 12 months before Matikainen's appointment and agrees that he played in pivotal role."I feel like then people had more of a voice because then he was doing it for us as well."So then us as players felt empowered by him to be like, this isn't good enough, these facilities aren't good enough, the kit is not good enough, the food is not good enough."Obviously he was very strict and he would shout at you if you didn't do something right but I think that helped."Matikainen is now back home in Finland, coaching the women's under-23 team and working for European football governing body he admits at his excitement at seeing his former players finally getting their chance to shine on the big stage this summer."We did get important things when I was there, but the big steps waited for the future," he added."Knowing the progression and the improvement that has been there, it is really good to see that."The women's senior team holds a special place in my heart."Episode 2 of Iconic: The Rise of the Women in Red will be broadcast on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds at 18:30 on Monday 23 June.
Time Out Dubai
18-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time Out Dubai
Your complete guide to Dubai Internet City
Welcome to Dubai Internet City. This part of town is known to be home to some very cool offices and is a real hotspot when it comes to commuters. If you like this: Your ultimate guide to every Dubai neighbourhood You're more likely to be working here than you are living, but there are places to permanently pitch your tent, as well as grab a bite or hangout on your lunch break. If you're planning a visit (or you're already there), here's everything you need to know. Your ultimate guide to Dubai Internet City Renting in Dubai Internet City Average rent price/housing type: Dhs160,000 per year (one-bedroom apartment). It's more common to visit Dubai Internet City than to be living in it, as most buildings are commercial rather than residential. However, there are a few properties spread across the area and neighbouring areas including Dubai Media City. The average one-bedroom apartment is currently rented for an annual average of Dhs160,000 according to the latest data from Property Finder. However, there are some incredible towers currently in the works, including the Iconic and Damac Casa projects, but they'll set you back a dirham or two. Where to eat in Dubai Internet City Since this neck of the woods is surrounded by offices, it's no surprise that it's packed with tasty lunch spots. For some classic Lebanese bites, swing by Ka'ak Al Manara, or if you're in the mood for a sit-down Italian special, you can't miss the burrata risotto at Marini. If you've only got time to grab and go, pick up a superfood salad and a matcha latte at Joga before getting back to work. Things to do in Dubai Internet City With pretty Palm Jumeirah views from one side and sweeping city views from the other, for an impressive view visit Twenty Three Rooftop Bar. If you're searching for other spots that offer up an energetic evening, nip in to garden on 8 for some live sports, or an elegant mixed drink at JATO Bar and Kitchen. Or if you need somewhere to catch some rays, book in for a budget-friendly (and redeemable) pool day at Coco Lounge. Yoga-lovers definitely need to give a class a go at Zen Yoga, or feel the burn at a barre class at Zoga (just around the corner). Transport in Dubai Internet City Al Khail Metro Station has been renamed to Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station (Credit: RTA) Since it has a lot of commuters, the transport links in and out of Dubai Internet City are pretty great. Not only are you located next to Sheikh Zayed Road, but you can also easily access Jumeirah Beach Road and Dubai Marina. There are a selection of buses running through the neighbourhood, including the 88 to Deira City Centre, the 84 to JBR and Dubai Marina and the 83 to Al Ghubaiba bus station. Meanwhile, there are two Dubai Metro stations you can access from either end of the area, Al Fardan Exchange and Dubai Internet City. Both of these stations sit on the red line. Living in Dubai? 3 expert tips (you might not know) to selling your car in Dubai It's not only about the price 5 must-know Emirates ID perks you should seriously be using A game-changer Don't say 'let's go', say 'yalla': 20 very Dubai words we use every day It's time to swot up on the Dubai lingo
Scoop
16-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Iconic Auckland Eats 2025 Top 100 Dishes Revealed After Record Number Of Nominations
Press Release – Tataki Auckland Unlimited Iconic Auckland Eats continues to grow as a celebration of Aucklands culinary scene, says Ttaki Auckland Unlimited Director Destination, Annie Dundas. Food lovers in search of a quick bite or a special meal out in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland have a new source of inspiration, thanks to the release of the Iconic Auckland Eats 2025 list of Top 100 dishes. Presented by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, on behalf of Auckland Council, Iconic Auckland Eats celebrates the diversity and quality of Auckland's food scene and its hospitality industry. Inclusion in the annual Top 100 list is driven by personal nomination stories submitted by the public about their favourite dishes. Any dish can be nominated to become an Iconic Auckland Eat, whether it's sold from a local bakery, market stall, food truck, café or fine-dining restaurant. Nominations are reviewed by judges to determine the Top 100 list. In 2025 Iconic Auckland Eats celebrates two milestones – its fifth anniversary and a record number of nominations. This year the public submitted 3109 nominations through the Iconic Auckland Eats website, an increase of 67 per cent from the 1857 nominations received in late 2023 for the Top 100 list announced in early 2024. 'Iconic Auckland Eats continues to grow as a celebration of Auckland's culinary scene,' says Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Director Destination, Annie Dundas. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited launched Iconic Auckland Eats in 2020 with the support of Restaurant Hub, New Zealand's largest online restaurant booking network. 'Food fans active on social media love to share content about dishes they love and learn about new ones to try. Our friends in hospitality have really embraced Iconic Auckland Eats and encourage their customers to nominate dishes. We have very passionate people in all parts of Auckland who want to share food stories from their region. It's been really nice to see how that's evolved in the past five years and helped to boost the success of hospitality businesses,' Dundas says. In 2025, there are 77 dishes new to the Iconic Auckland Eats Top 100 list, with 39 businesses debuting on the list. 'It's wonderful to see how Auckland's dining options offer such variety – this is reflected with the new additions to this year's list,' Dundas says. Of the 23 dishes returning to the Iconic Auckland Eats Top 100 list in 2025, only two have been on the list since its inception – lamingtons from Sugar at Chelsea Bay and Depot's fish sliders. Nominations are assessed by judges on a range of criteria: a dish that's well-loved, representative of local culture and people, a timeless classic, and/or a 'signature dish'. The list not only celebrates food, but also in-store experiences, people, history, heritage and culture. This year's judges were Annie Dundas, along with renowned food-industry figure and The Kitchen Project Manager, Connie Clarkson and Restaurant Hub co-owner, Mark Gregory. The Top 100 list is compiled from the judges' recommendations and an evaluation of nominators' stories about their favourite dishes. In a new initiative for 2025 there are five winning dish-nomination stories, instead of one story. In previous years the winning nominator won vouchers to eat all Top 100 dishes from the year's Iconic Auckland Eats list, but this year the five winning nominators will each receive $500 worth of vouchers to spend at their choice of Iconic Auckland Eats Top 100 list venues. Connie Clarkson says Iconic Auckland Eats shows off food offerings not just in the city centre, but in neighbourhoods across the region. 'Iconic Eats is a love letter from the food lovers of Auckland to the cooks, chefs and their whānau who step up to the plate to deliver the food that brings them joy every day. It transcends place, price, nations and neighbourhoods, complexity, simplicity and time. We are really lucky.' Mark Gregory says; 'For me, Auckland's restaurant scene is more than just a collection of great places to eat; it's a dynamic expression of the city's personality — inventive, confident, and increasingly global in outlook. The range of cuisines and styles in the Iconic Auckland Eats Top 100 list showcase the region's cultural diversity — where local influences sit alongside East Asian, Middle Eastern, and European traditions, often blended in uniquely Aotearoa ways.' Iconic Auckland Eats also provides an opportunity for visitors to Auckland to learn about the region by enjoying its food. 'We've seen Iconic Auckland Eats picked up internationally, whether it's from journalists coming here and writing about it or travel agents popping information into itineraries. It's nice to share the places that Aucklanders think of as great with visitors and each other,' Dundas says. Karen Thompson-Smith, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Head of Tourism, says she is thrilled with Iconic Auckland Eats' building momentum. 'Food and beverage services are a vital part of Auckland's vibrancy and are a major contributor to the region's visitor economy. We know that trying local cuisine is a must-do activity for most visitors coming to New Zealand,' she says. In the year to March 2025, food and beverage services accounted for 17.4 per cent of domestic and international visitor spending in Auckland, according to Infometrics. Iconic Auckland Eats 2025 Top 100 list (in alphabetical order) *Dish previously included on an Iconic Auckland Eats Top 100 list ** Business new to the Iconic Auckland Eats Top 100 list Business name Dish name Agak Agak Food ** Malaysian Nasi Campur Ahi Tuna Hūhunu Ailimteh Nasi Lemak Bungkus ** Nasi Lemak Bungkus Alma Beef Tongue, Preserved Lemon, Olive Amano Chitarra, scampi, tomato & chilli* Apéro Seared Lamb Rump, Jus with Carrot Purée and Kasundi Aryeh ** Black & White Thoughts Ashby Pies ** Beef Cheek & Cheese Pie Azabu Volcano Sushi Rolls* Bali Nights Ikan Bakar Jimbaran* Banh Mi Boy Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi Bar Magda Noel's charcoal steak, soy butter, scallion Bari's Pizza ** Deluxe Pepperoni Pizza Beast & Butterflies ** Market Fish of the Day, scampi bisque, mussels, prawns, burnt tomatoes, fennel Bestie Cafe Towpath Cheese Toastie BFC Korean Chicken ** Seasoned Cup Chicken Boda Eggplant Bibimbap Bossi Olive Fritte Bridgehouse Warkworth ** Fresh Steamed Mussels Broke Boy Taco Birria Tacos Bunga Raya X.O. CHICKEN Burnt Butter Diner Chilli Fried Eggs Candela Lamb belly pintxo with mojo verde Carmel – Israeli Street Food Crispy Falafel Pita* Casita Miro Churros Con Chocolate Cassia Pani Puri* Cheese On Toast Bacon Jam Toastie* Cibo West Coast whitebait omelette with ginger, soy & lime butter Cocoro The Sashimi Platter* Depot Fish Sliders* Duo Raw Fish on Toast Eden Noodles Dumplings In Spicy Sauce* Esther Puff bread & taramasalata Farina Padella Isabella Farm House Cafe Pimp My Cheese Scone – Benedict Pimp Fatima's Lamb Chawarma Federal Delicatessen Chicken Salad Sandwich* First Mates, Last Laugh ** Pan-Fried John Dory FishSmith Battered Westmere Butchery Pork Sausage Forest ** Smoked purple kumara, caper brine glaze, Marmite cream, rosemary greens, paprika Forester Bar & Grill ** Skin-on Snapper Fort Greene ** The Reuben Frat's Pizza ** Hawaiian Pizza Gemmayze Street Babaganouj* Gerome Rolled Baklava, Greek Nuts, Gooseberry Compote, Metaxa Syrup, Mascarpone Giapo World Famous Hokey Pokey GOAT By Sid Chopra ** GOAT Champaran Hapunan Adobo Del Diablo* Hello Beasty Prawn + Crab Toast* Hill House Cafe Pimp My Scone – The OG Pimp Huami Fruit Wood Roasted Peking Duck* INCA Spicy Tuna Tostada Ipoh Malaysian Cuisine Lorbak Izu ** Tuna Ceviche Jia Qi Sweets – Chow Luck Club Foodie Market ** Dragon's Beard Candy Khu Khu ** Kumara Spring Roll Kingi Hot smoked kahawai from Little Barrier with horseradish Lebanese Grocer ** Chicken Shawarma Leigh Eats ** Fish & Chips Lot Nineteen Cinnamon Rolls* Lucky Gs Thigh Guy Mae Nam Khong ** Drunken Spicy Duck Mairangi Bay Bakery ** Braised Beef Short Rib Pie MASU by Nic Watt Wagyu Kimchi Gyoza Black Origin Wagyu Beef & Kimchi Gyoza, Pickled Cucumber, Soy Vinegar Mekong Baby Braised Crispy Pork Belly, Caramelised Chilli & Soy, Asian Slaw* Metita ** Handpicked Beef Scotch, 55 day dry-aged, palusami purée, ravigote Mint As Waiheke Island, Burgers & Shakes ** Mint As Burger Moxie Restaurant ** Beef Wellington, potato and truffle foam, pumpkin seed and parsley pesto Mumbaiwala ** Dahi Puri Nanam Lechon Ockhee Tofu BBQ Gui Ohui Restaurant ** Pāua Tortellini Onslow Chatham Islands Crayfish Éclair, Organic Egg, Spiced Bisque, Herbs Our Land ** East Coast Brisket Paradise Lamb Biryani* Peach's Hot Chicken Peanut Butter Mousse Pie Pici Pici Cacio e Pepe* Prego Risotto All'Anatra Ragtag Duck Carnitas Tacos* Ramen Takara ** Jade Ramen Red Crab ** Sweet And Sour Chicken Rhu ** Honey toast with whipped yoghurt and nectarines Richoux Patisserie ** Steak, Jalapeño and Cheese Pie San Ray ** Quinoa Toast with Smoked Fish and Pickled Egg Shelley's Kitchen ** Malaysian Spiral Curry Puffs SkyBar Gold Bar* Smiths Matakana ** Chef's Loaded Fries Sugar at Chelsea Bay Raspberry Lamington* Tacoteca ** Ora King Salmon Aguachile (please note this changes with the season so fish varies) Tala Raw Ramen Tempero ** Pão de Queijo (Cheese Bread) The 'Ansum Pasty Company ** Proper Cornish Pasty The Blue Breeze Inn Steamed Bao Bun with roasted pork belly & pickled cucumber* The Engine Room Twice Baked Goats Cheese Souffle* The Glass House Brick Bay Leigh Skin-On Snapper The Local Waiheke Fish Taco The Lodge Passionfruit Drizzled Pavlova The Sugar Dealer ** Raspberry Cheesecake Brownie Tiger Bar & Restaurant ** Korean Fried Cauliflower, Gochujang Glaze, Sesame, Kimchi Vietnam Cafe Spare Ribs Rice Noodles Soup The five winning dish-nomination stories Noel's charcoal steak, soy butter, scallion from Bar Magda – nominated by Elle Pitts They have turned that steak into something great. Cooked over charcoal perfectly, and then that sauce. I could drink that sauce. I could bath in that sauce…smothered over the perfectly cooked and seasoned steak. Just divine. Deluxe Pepperoni Pizza from Bari's Pizza – nominated by Simran Patel It combines halal pepperoni and bell peppers [capsicums] with delicious, hot honey. Out of all the halal pepperoni pizzas I've had around the world this has to be the best! Halal pepperoni is so hard to come across, so that's another reason why it deserves to win. Dumplings in Spicy Sauce from Eden Noodles – nominated by Karol Troncoso Every time I visit Eden Noodles; I watch the lady at the door making dumplings with such precision. Her care and skill make every bite perfect. These dumplings reflect Auckland's diverse food scene – handmade, flavourful, and crafted with passion. Risotto All'Anatra from Prego – nominated by Jodi Pretscherer It is like a creamy bowl of happiness. I can't eat this without having my 17-year-old and husband 'taxing' it. It's a must-have at this iconic restaurant. Spare Ribs Rice Noodles Soup from Vietnam Café – nominated by Joshua Jo This dish has been a favourite of mine since I was 10 years old. I'm nearly 40 now and nothing has changed, in the best way. The dish's flavour, quality, and presentation remain consistent, and I'll gladly drive from the other side of Auckland for it. Notes: Now in its fifth year, Iconic Auckland Eats aims to support the hospitality sector and showcase Auckland's world-class cuisine and diverse food story An initiative by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited on behalf of Auckland Council, Iconic Auckland Eats is an annual list of the top 100 dishes available in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, as nominated by the public and reviewed by a judging panel Iconic Auckland Eats submissions are nominated by food-loving locals and visitors to Tāmaki Makaurau, who also share a brief story about why they love the dish. There were 3109 nominations submitted 5 February – 5 March 2025 via Food and beverage services employ more than 150,000 people in the Auckland region, 15 per cent of the total Auckland workforce. More than 32,000 businesses, or 14 per cent, of Auckland's businesses are in the food and beverage-service sector.
