What's cooking: Simone Thomas

Simone Thomas is bringing the best to the west. Picture / Babiche Martens

Simone Thomas and Jill Fielden have opened Taste Food Store in New Lynn and plan on introducing west Aucklanders to the delights of good olive oils, vinegars, handmade pasta, fresh pesto, prosciutto, parmesan, preserves and chocolates from Sabato and Zarbo.

As well as being addicted to attending cooking classes with some of the country's finest, cooking is in her blood.

Great grandmother Elsie Harvey's Peace Recipe Book was a cookbook series written during World War II, and her great grandfather sold it door-to-door to raise money for the war effort.

Your favourite restaurant?

Rocco in Ponsonby Rd because of its consistently awesome food, service and atmosphere. I love risotto and often order whatever's going for the day. Also a big fan of the chocolate-dipped doughnuts.

Your favourite bar?

La Zeppa in Freeman's Bay. It's noisy, has a great cocktail and wine list, and I love the tapas. I normally opt for a margarita but a few weeks ago had an amazing plum cosmopolitan.

What's always in your fridge and cupboards?

New Zealand and Italian extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, jasmine rice and vialone nano for risotto, Italian dried pasta and parmigiano, tinned tomatoes, and loads of fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs.

Who would you most like to cook for?

I'd have to go with Bono and the Edge from U2. I just love those Irish accents. They could sit in my kitchen talking music, world peace, whatever, over a pint of Guinness and chilled Bluff oysters. I'd pass on the Guinness and have a New Zealand sauvignon blanc.

Who would you most like to cook for you?

Peter Gordon. I love his different combinations of ingredients that are simple but so exciting.

The best meal you've eaten?

Eggs Mexican style loaded with chillies, tomatoes and onion and served with guacamole and freshly baked tortillas. It was for breakfast on Medano Beach, Cabo San Lucas in Mexico with your feet in the sand, sun on your back and the Sea of Cortez stretching out.

The worst?

During a stint as a newspaper's restaurant reviewer in the late 80s I encountered a South Island salmon that came drowned in a sickly honey and greasy butter sauce. Yuk. The restaurant has since closed.

Your favourite drink?

Margaritas ... the more you have, the better they get.

Who makes the best bread?

Rewana bread from the Titirangi Market, held on the last Sunday of every month. And, of course, Pandoro. We use Pandoro at Taste, and the range and quality is hard to beat.

Desert island ingredient?

Lemons, because fresh, fresh, seafood doesn't need much else.

Your favourite cookbook?

The Sugar Club by Peter Gordon.

* Taste is at 3070 Great North Rd, New Lynn.