Monday, March 28, 2011

TASTE OF A TRAVELLER- NZ's first MasterChef's treasure trove

At last the book we have been waiting for since Brett McGregor became NZ's first MasterChef. And I can tell you the wait has been worth it. My goodness, this man writes as well as he cooks, and that is saying something!

His many years of travel have clearly inspired the way he cooks. Like many New Zealanders, he's travelled widely and has picked up lots of great recipes along the way. This collection draws from the diverse tastes and experiences he's gathered while travelling. He loves to re-create those moments at home through cooking and evoke the sensations and memories of his travels.

The most appealing book re-creates some of the stand out dishes from Brett's favourite countries. The fresh intense flavours of Asia have always intrigued him and he's spent years developing his own style and take on some classic dishes. It's the same with Spain and Northern Africa. Fresh Spanish tapas and Moroccan tagines are great influences on his cooking style. There's also a great section on Kiwi cooking which includes old favourites like roasts.

This book is a treasure trove of wonderful, simple and delicious recipes that you can make every day. I have made several and all have been well received. The photographs are vibrant and colourful and evocative of the countries Brett's travelled to. Including some recipes from other MasterChef finalists, and Brett's Mum's winning scone recipe Taste of a Traveller is an excellent addition to any kitchen.

About the author:

Brett McGregor was a Christchurch deputy principal at an Intermediate school before winning the very first MasterChef NZ title. Now he's establishing a career as a food writer and of course we see him most nights in TV commercials promoting Countdown!
Author photo - Herald on Sunday.

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