5 Questions: Jason Williams

Jason Williams with his big catch. Photo / Supplied

Fresh from a 8.1kg monster snapper catch, we ask part-time chef and angler Jason Williams five questions on life in Hawke's Bay.

1. How do you fit in fishing between work and family life?

I wake up about 4am and go down on weekdays — that's on the days I start work at 11am. I have to be back at home by at least 8am for my daughter, so that's the only real time I get to fish. I'm an ''early bird catches the worm'' sort of person. At weekends I'm working at the Napier Boys' High School hostel, so that's 10-hour or 11-hour days.

2. How do you find working two jobs?

I'm on call for evening work at one of the local butcheries as well but they let me know a couple of days beforehand, so I can plug my fishing in around that. My partner is a full-time travel manager and we're there to support the family and the kids, that's one of the things we love doing.

3. What is the camaraderie like at the hostel — do you feel you are an inclusive part of the overall NBHS set-up?

The headmaster there is absolutely phenomenal, he's your boss but he doesn't come over in a "you must do what I say" way. The camaraderie there is pretty good, especially at the hostel. It's a pretty tight-knit family.

4. What's your favourite dish to cook?

I do love cooking fish but we don't have it on the menu at the hostel. We just haven't been able to find a decent supplier that's not too expensive. So, if we could get some fresh fish in that would be great. What I do love to cook is spaghetti bolognaise with meatballs.

5. What's the best thing about living in Napier?

The summers are stunning. I love being here in the summer. We've had a few colder days in the winter but most of the days lately have been very sunny and very warm. We're supposed to still be in winter but it feels like spring to me.