What’s Cooking: Brendan Turner

Brendan Turner. Picture / Martin Sykes

Brendan Turner is the food and beverage manager for SkyCity. Before that he owned two successful city cafes, Sheinken in High St and Dizengoff in Ponsonby Rd.

What inspires you in your job?

The opportunity to be involved in exciting new ventures such as the opening of Dine by Peter Gordon.

What is your favourite dish and drink?

My favourite dish is always changing. I love seafood, especially a recipe from Peter's new menu, roast crab crusted hapuka on roast kumara, shiitake and Asian greens with red lentil, pandan coconut broth and fried curry leaves, matched with a Milton Estate Viognier.

What are the best moments in your hospitality career?

Achieving the success of Dizengoff and Sheinken.

What is your favorite restaurant, and why?

I love O'Connell Street - the flavours on the plate are fantastic and the wine list is exceptional. I love the French Cafe also, and not just because they are always so accommodating.

What is your favourite bar, and why?

SPQR and Chandelier - Auckland icons and they speak for themselves.

What is your idea of the perfect meal?

Beautiful food prepared and cooked simply, accompanied by great wine, great service and in the company of good friends.

What do you always have in your fridge and kitchen cupboard?

Only the absolute basics as I am either at work or sampling the competition.

What are three foods you could not live without?

Fresh fruit, seafood and pasta.

What do you wish customers would understand about your job?

That everyone is only human.

Who would you most like to make lunch for you?

Thomas Keller, The French Laundry.

What are your favourite indulgences?

Coffee each morning at Casera.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

That I like nothing more than to drive to Kaiaua and have a beer and fish and chips at the local pub, which is near our family farm on the Hauraki Plains.

What would you most want to do if you were not in your present job?

Running my own business in New York.