A few years on…
News of our Old Boys
A catch up with Simon Gault
I
t was great having Old Boy, Simon
Gault back to school in June to
help judge the finals of our Mini
MasterChef competition and to engage
with our boys. Simon kindly donated
signed copies of his new book, ‘Simon
Gault Homemade’ to the prizewinners.
Kingsway caught up with Simon and asked
him about his new ventures over the next
12 months.
Kingsway:
Can you tell us what new
projects you are working on right now?
Simon:
We’re currently finalising new
menus that are rolling out shortly at
Euro and Jervois Steak House, and all the
restaurants are busy preparing for summer.
I’m also working on a new restaurant in a
stunning resort in Samoa, which will open
in 2014.
Kingsway:
What did you enjoy most of
all about MasterChef New Zealand?
Simon:
The thing I love most about
MasterChef is how engaged children have
become with food since the show started.
They want to try everything and judge the
dish for themselves. They are tasting and
discussing food and above all they’re getting
strong opinions about food, which is great
to see. This also applies not just
to children - people’s interest in
food has grown immensely, along
with their expectations when
going out to dine. This is helping to
raise food standards across the country
and it’s great to watch the upcoming new
generation of chefs coming through better
and better.
Kingsway:
Are there any other TV series
in the pipeline?
Simon:
Yes, I’m currently filming the new
series of MasterChef New Zealand and trust
me when I tell you it’s going to be the best
one yet!
Kingsway:
Do you think you might
publish another book?
Simon:
Yes, this is another project that I’m
currently working on. I don’t have a title for
it yet but it will be released later in 2014.
Kingsway:
Any new restaurants or
new ventures?
Simon:
The focus at the moment is on
developing new products for my Simon
Gault Home Cuisine range available in
supermarkets and stores like Farro Fresh,
Nosh and Moore Wilson’s. I currently have
a range of stocks (chicken, beef, vegetable
and fish) and seasonings (Kiwi, Italian
and Indian) and I’ve spent a lot of time
perfecting producing chef quality taste into
easy to use products so everyone can cook
with amazing flavours at home. There are
a few other fun new projects coming up on
the horizon, so watch this space!
Kingsway:
What inspired you to produce
your book?
Simon:
I had previously published the
Nourish cookbook, which was focused on
recipes from my restaurants. With ‘Simon
Gault Homemade’ I wanted to show
everyone what I love to eat at home. It
wasn’t about restaurant food but all about
really simple, tasty, accessible food that
anyone can cook at home. It’s got all my
family favourites along with the recipes I
love to cook at home.
Kingsway:
We have heard that not only
are you a great chef, but you are also a pilot.
When did your interest in flying begin?
Simon:
Yes, I’ve been a pilot for a long
time now and it’s a big passion of mine. My
dad was also a pilot, so flying has been in
the blood since I was young. I love to get
up there as often as I can; I just wish that it
could be more often!
Laken Whitecliffe
Old Boy,
Laken Whitecliffe
(2004 school leaver) has
recently won a Cento
Amici Arts Scholarship
and is studying at
the Montclair State
University’s Department
of Art and Design. He has
been enjoying working
alongside internationally-
acclaimed artist and
Old Boy, Max Gimblett
whilst in the Big Apple. Laken also recently
completed a large mural for charity in the
township of Montclair in New Jersey, which
was badly damaged during Hurricane Sandy.
Max Gimblett
Max Gimblett, international artist and
distinguished Old Boy of the Year in 2011,
very generously hosted a group of Old
Boys and friends at his studio in New
York to welcome
Headmaster Tony
Sissons to New
York at the end of
June. It was a great
opportunity to
catch up with some
of our Old Boys
currently living
the life in the
Big Apple.
Tim Macindoe
Hamilton West’s, Member of Parliament
and King’s School Old Boy (1973) met
the Chapel Choir boys on their tour to
Wellington during the first week of this
term. As a former member of the Chapel
Choir himself, Tim was delighted to meet up
with the boys at the Beehive and hear them
perform at Parliament.
Simon Gault with Harjodh Singh, winner of
the 2013 Mini MasterChef competition.
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