Herne Bay: A chef’s kitchen

Photo / Geoff Dale

GPK founder Dominique Parat is selling his Herne Bay home with a kitchen that can cater for one to 100.

At the heart of any Kiwi home is the kitchen. Chef Dominique Parat has a recipe for keeping it that way, whether making lunch for the kids or having a party for 100.

In just over 20 years the French chef has made his mark on Auckland's cuisine scene. From his early days at the Killarney St Brasserie to the trendy pizza joint Ibiza, then Isobar, Woodys Fine Dining and now the GPK trinity, Dominique has had a finger on the pulse of what Aucklanders like to eat.

"In New Zealand people spend a lot of time doing things in and around the kitchen," says Dominique. "It is the centre of family life, and that's a huge thing to understand in the hospitality business. If you cook with that in mind then you can't go wrong."

And that is precisely how the kitchen in his Herne Bay house works. It is fundamental in the flow of a home that was built in the 1920s and carefully revamped in the late 1990s.

The kitchen is at the end of a long room that almost runs the length of the house. It is separated from the rest of the space by a large island work bench with a sink large enough for washing the biggest pots and pans.

Dominique says if he's cooking for friends he likes them to be included in the process, but "held away" so he can get on with what he is best at while engaging in conversation.

A large, six-burner Ilve stove sits against the wall with plenty of pantry space either side. Adjacent to the cook space is a wall of deep cupboards with decent-size shelves.

Next to these cupboards is what could be described as a serious appliance garage. There is room for everything from a coffee grinder or food processor to a juice extractor and toaster.

This area of the house flows to a patio paved with thick stone that surrounds a 2m-deep, boat-shaped pool. It's warm and sheltered, and has an outside dining room with a fireplace. There's also an outside shower, shielded from the neighbours by hedges and trees.

The ground floor features two sitting rooms. One is formal and can be closed off from the rest of the house by doors that slide out from wall recesses.

Facing the magnificent blue-tiled fireplace is a bay window, one of two on the first level. The other bay window is in the master bedroom, which also features a massive wardrobe and en suite with a bath and shower.

Next to the sitting room is a more relaxed lounge room, which leads to a music room - complete with a baby grand piano. Each window provides views of the upper harbour.

Up the sweeping staircase are four bedrooms and another bathroom.

The stairway is wide enough to make a dramatic entrance, and has a beautiful chandelier hanging over it. Like many of the fittings, it is original.

The rooms upstairs are well-proportioned, and the north-west corner bedroom has a lovely paved deck off it with blue-chip views to the north west.

Downstairs, in what was the old garage, Dominique has built a home cinema and small gym.

There is plenty of ground for gardeners. On this corner site, it changes from a white garden with buxus and camellias into a modernist stand of yuccas and then a paved courtyard with a tree in the centre for shade. Naturists could take in a bit of sun on the private lawn if they wished, without upsetting the neighbours.

The area in front of the old garage has been paved. For a water-sporting family there is room to park all manner of kayaks, windsurfers and boards.

On the Sentinel Rd side is a giant double garage, which has more storage space as well as that Kiwi essential - the beer fridge.

Unlike many older homes that have been jazzed up by architects, this house unites the new and not so new without jarring.

Dominique says he's sad to be moving on but with his child now grown up and living overseas the house is just too big. "It needs the noise and life of a family rather than a busy restaurateur," he says. "I hope a family looking for space and aspect will buy this home."

Dominique is looking to move to the Viaduct or a managed apartment to work on more plans to tickle the taste buds of Auckland's foodies.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 80 Sarsfield St, Herne Bay.

FEATURES: Recently refurbished 1925 bungalow with great views of Waitemata Harbour; five bedrooms; two and half bathrooms; central gas heating; home cinema; music room; parlour; family room; double garaging; security entry gates; heated pool; outdoor fireplace; great grounds for children; close to beach and minutes from CBD, marina and Ponsonby.

SIZE: Land 824sq m, floor area approx 300sq m.

TENDER CLOSES: March 22. Current expressions of interest are above $2 million.

AGENTS: Tim Collins Smith and Iain Rankine, Bayleys. Ph 309 6020 bus; Tim 021 909 149 mob; Iain 021 935 778 mob.