Kia Ora! Hello from the Land of the Long White Cloud and home to the mighty All Blacks.
Born and raised in the Naki – that’s Taranaki to those not in the know – I am not only a proud Kiwi but after living here for 25 years, I’m Australian from my head to my toes. I’m also the Editor of the Australian Good Food Guide and as such an inspiring home cook, who drools over the recipes on our website wondering if I’m game enough to make them.
As we celebrate International Chef Day today, Friday October 20, we are excitedly launching the countdown to the 2024 Chef Hat Award season – we are also thrilled to present to you five of the team behind AGFG, who are all home cooks just like you.
Growing up in Aotearoa, I had an idyllic childhood – my dad was the ultimate forager, gardener and beer maker! We had the classic Kiwi quarter acre yard (section to Kiwis) and I don’t remember my mother buying fruit or vegetables as it was all readily available in the garden. Fruit trees provided apples, peaches and most importantly feijoas – if you have never had one, don’t ask me to explain the flavour, it’s just unique.
Sunday nights we would sit in front of the open fire trying to escape the chill winds from the snow on Mount Taranaki and Dad would be in the kitchen making his signature beer-battered fish and hand-cut chips – fish he had speared earlier that day on a trip to the rockpools and potatoes, of course, from the garden.
Seafood was his specialty - which my Mum hated by the way - and I have a vivid memory of her in the kitchen when Dad arrived home from a fishing expedition only to put a live crayfish on the bench that began crawling towards her. The reaction? She jumped into the sink!
That started my love of seafood, which in later years turned into a flexitarian approach to food where I haven’t eaten red meat for more than 35 years. It’s not a statement, I don’t just like the taste or texture; I have also developed a definitive love of curries, Asian and Sri Lankan food.
It is for this reason the Chef I’m excited to watch out for now he has launched a new chapter in his esteemed culinary career is Peter Kuruvita from ALBA NOOSA. This 13-hatted Noosa Heads dining destination is a hub of food and beverage offerings with a café, providore, pizzeria and relaxed all-day offering, which evolves into a stylish restaurant and cocktail bar as the day progresses.
Peter’s story is truly international – with a Sri Lankan father and Austrian mother – the family embarked on a six-week overland journey from London to Colombo in Sri Lanka when Dad Wickremapala decided it was time to move his pregnant wife Lilly and two sons back to the ancestral home.
Having visited Sri Lanka on a couple of occasions, I have such a love for not only the beaches, mountains, people and food – but also their love of sport, fun and enjoying life.
I have to honestly say Peter’s snapper curry is one of the most delicious dishes I have ever tasted…perfectly cooked flaky fish, spiced potato dumplings, coconut sambal, tamarind and raita – if you love curry this is a must-try on your next visit to ALBA.
AGFG readers are lucky enough to find several of Peter’s recipes on our website – here are three we think you need to try:
You’re welcome!
Watch out for the next four articles in this series from AGFG’s National Operations Manager, Joseph Steele; Head of PR and National Contributor, Laura Rancie; Business Development Manager, Jett Bewick and Head of Client Services, Rebekah Troth.
