What's cooking: Donna Hay

Donna Hay loves her job as a chef.

What do you like about your job?

Everything! Truly. I know it sounds lame but I really do love it all. Although now I think about it, all the washing up after being out on a photography location is not that great, but everything else is.

What's the first thing you ever cooked?

Orange omelette from a kids' cookbook my mum gave me. I was five; it was disgusting. Eggs whipped with orange juice! Can you imagine? My Mother's Day breakfast-tray presentation, however, was excellent.

What is your favourite meal?

Weekend meals with my family. Every weekend I try and do something fun with hubby and kids whether it is as simple as sandwiches at the park, fish and chips at the beach or make your own pizza with my son's friends on our back deck. Family and food are a very simple combination, but it's where so many great memories begin.

What is the best meal you've had overseas?

In a little family run bistro in St Remy, France. Perfectly cooked simple food, fantastic house wine, and an ambience that can only be created by people who love to cook [and food] being enjoyed by those who love to eat.

What do you eat at home when you can't be bothered to cook - an easy meal or takeout?

The toasted sandwich maker always comes to the rescue. The type that doesn't cut the sandwich in half so as you can fit an egg in it. There is always something in the fridge like ham, salami, cheese, and tomatoes and always bread, tuna or tinned baked beans in the pantry. It all comes together in minutes.

What is always in your fridge?

Cheese, cheese and more cheese: parmesan, cheddar, ricotta, feta, the list goes on. It's a great starting or finishing point to many meals. And blood orange juice just waiting for a splash of vodka and a wedge of fresh lime.

What do you always have in your pantry/kitchen cupboards?

All the usual suspects that can make dinner for the family or for a crowd: pasta, rice (jasmine and arborio), canned tomatoes, tomato puree, canned white beans and chickpeas, canned tuna.

Is there anything you refuse to eat?

Offal - I just don't see the point.

What is your idea of the perfect meal?

The cliches just pour out of me with a question like this. A perfect meal is only perfect if the ingredients are good, the company better and the wine plentiful. Everything else - tablesetting, the view (whether it's in a house or restaurant) - is just a bonus.

What food do you miss most when you are away overseas?

Great fresh Thai flavour. Big, simple salads. Fruit for snacking.