Food gurus making waves

Curtis Stone (left) and Ben O'Donoghue's fridges at home always have a stock of good cheese. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Surfers Ben O'Donoghue and Curtis Stone are probably better known for their cooking skills. The pair, who grew up in Australia, are the stars of the television series Surfing the Menu and the book of the same name. Their latest Surfing the Menu Again, was released earlier this year. The dynamic duo were big attractions during the weekend's Food Show at the Auckland Showgrounds.

BEN O'DONOGHUE

What's the best thing about your job?

The instant gratification. You make something, people eat it and you get feedback. And it lets me travel around the world.

Your idea of the perfect meal?

Anything cooked for me by someone else.

The best meal you've ever eaten?

In Italy when I was courting my wife. We ate lunch at a restaurant - risotto, antipasto and seafood - and then we went to a wine bar and had a couple of bottles of wine and had dinner after that, so it was one continuous day of eating. Everything was fantastic.

Your favourite drink?

Mojitos or vintage champagne.

Your favourite restaurant?

Silver Spring in Sydney for dim sum. It's great food and so relaxed.

What do you eat when you can't be bothered cooking?

Poached eggs.

What do you always have in your fridge?

Good cheese, ham, a good bottle of wine and whichever beer's on sale.

What are your three favourite ingredients?

Parmesan, white truffles and good pork.

Is there anything you wouldn't eat?

Salted squid. I had it at this Japanese restaurant in Auckland the other day. It was raw squid in a salt mixture of squid guts and it was absolutely disgusting.

Who would you like to have cook for you?

Gisele Bundchen in a bikini, or [French master chef] Auguste Escoffier.

Who would you like to cook for?

Gisele Bundchen. Or Muhammad Ali or Nelson Mandela - they're really cool.

CURTIS STONE

What's the best thing about your job?

We're constantly on the road seeing amazing food, meeting amazing food producers and people who are just as passionate about food as we are. We drink wine and we surf and have a great day.

Your idea of the perfect meal?

The right company, a good atmosphere - music and candles - and food suitable for the occasion.

The best meal you've ever eaten?

That's too hard.

Your favourite drink?

Gin and tonic.

Your favourite restaurant?

L'Assiette Champenoise in Reims, France.

What do you eat when you can't be bothered cooking?

I like a good hamburger so I'll go out and grab one, or pizza.

What do you always have in your fridge?

Cold beer and some good cheese. Because I cook in a restaurant if I'm going to have dinner at home I'll usually cook it at work and take it home so I'm lucky enough to have almost everything in the fridge.

What are your three favourite ingredients?

Chocolate, crabs and lamb.

Is there anything you wouldn't eat?

I was reading about how they eat dogs in Vietnam. I don't think I could even try it as I'm a dog lover.

Who would you like to have cook for you?

My granny cooks a mean roast.

Who would you like to cook for?

I've cooked for all sorts of people from Paul McCartney to Kylie Minogue so I'm not that fussed as long as they like food, unless Pamela Anderson was on the list, then I'd have her.