PETE GAWRON, CENTRAL OTAGO
Adelaide-born Pete Gawron and his wife Melanie Hill opened Saffron, in New Zealand's Arrowtown in 1996. The award-winning restaurant has spawned two books of forage and local produce fanatic Gawron's recipes as well as the additional eateries, Blue Door bar and Pesto.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TABLE IN CENTRAL OTAGO?
Folding out camping chairs and tables set up along the Mataura River. Hot smoking a brown trout on a sunny morning in spring is impossible to beat. However, with delight I see Olivers Restaurant in Clyde has been revamped. The food is consistent and highlights local produce and dining there involves a lovely drive along the Lake Dunstan Road. See oliverscentralotago.co.nz.
THE LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY OF THE LAST YEAR?
I had a massaman curry in Thailand recently and found the definitive recipe for that unique dish. Bringing it back to Arrowtown and cooking the dish with local lamb is a definite highlight.
WHAT IS CENTRAL OTAGO'S BEST-KEPT FOOD SECRET?
Autumn, when the leaves change colour, is really one of the most beautiful times of the year in Arrowtown. The quince trees produce exquisite fruit; my kitchen smells magnificent as I set about making quince paste, quince jam, and roasting this delightful fruit with cinnamon, star anise and ginger. We also make a delicious quince sorbet, so here we have a fruit that can be served with savoury dishes, with cheese, as a desert or simply jellied on toast as a snack. The local crab apples and walnut trees all planted by the descendants of the first wave of miners are equally versatile and delicious.
BEST PLACE TO GO ON A DAY OFF?
From mid-June the only places to go are Coronet Peak, The Remarkables or Cardrona ski fields. Looking out of my window right now I can see the snowline is very low, which is perfect.
FAVOURITE INDULGENCE IN CENTRAL OTAGO?
It has to be sitting by a roaring fire at home in winter with my wife Mel and our two beautiful daughters and indulging in a home cooked meal and a little Central Otago pinot noir. See nzwine.com/regions/central-otago/.
WHAT SHOULD A VISITOR AVOID, FOOD-WISE, IN CENTRAL OTAGO?
I would suggest a great rule of thumb is to find a restaurant where the owner is also the chef.
