Gourmet Guide by Jo Blennerhassett of The Good Food Trading Co.

New Zealand chef Al Brown is the ambassador for Loaf's new Slider buns.

Slider buns can be used for a multitude of occasions from mini burgers to starters, picnics, brunch and kids' lunches.

Loaf's Volcanic Ciabatta is crying out to be stuffed. Try herbed garlic butter or balsamic mascarpone. They also make a great dinner roll just as they are.

I went to Al Brown's new restaurant on Monday afternoon, Depot for a quick bite to eat and fell in love with the bite-size sliders I was served.

Filled with the freshest morsel of turbot and a creamy sauce, they were devoured in all of about one minute. It brought new meaning to the phrase ‘mini burger bun'.

This week Good Food has welcomed the Sliders with open arms. As soon as I saw them, I had a mountain of ideas they could be handy for.

They are perfect for the kids' lunches – (there's nothing worse than getting half eaten sandwiches home after school) - even better for pre dinner drinks. Fill with salmon/capers and fresh dill mayo. Or mini hamburgers with a hit of Mandy's sensational hot horseradish. Pop in and see us this weekend and get your Slider fix at the Good Food Trading Co., 35 MacDonald Street, Mount Maunganui.