After working in restaurants locally and overseas Daniel Wilson settled in Melbourne and, with two partners, opened restaurant Huxtable in 2010. Expanding on the brand, the trio opened the renowned Huxtaburger in 2011, which now boasts four locations around Melbourne, with another due to open next month. We had a few words with the chef on his recent trip back home for the Restaurant Association of New Zealand's Hospitality Summit.
Where are your favourite places to eat when you're back in Auckland?
I absolutely love eating at Cocoro. Makoto-san is an absolute legend. The quality and freshness of the seafood is the best I've had outside Japan. Also Meredith's is amazing. Michael's food is so thoughtful, inspiring and refined.
If you were going out for brunch in Melbourne, where would you usually go?
I really like Twenty & Six which is in North Melbourne where I live. Also I love going for dumplings to Westlake or HuTong.
Having worked around the world as a chef, which city has the most enthusiastic food culture and why?
It's very hard to pick one city for the most enthusiastic food culture. I absolutely love living, working and eating in Melbourne as it has such an amazing food culture. I have visited Penang many times and the food culture there is amazing, too. The choice of Indian, Chinese and Malay food is hard to beat.
Where was the best meal you've ever had?
I ate at Alinea in Chicago in 2008 and it was mind-blowing. It was a 25-course degustation where every course was perfect. Other highlights have been Tempura Matsu in Kyoto, which serves Kaiseki cuisine, Sushi Ichi in Ginza and also L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Roppongi.
What's the worst meal you've ever had?
I tend to forget the bad ones and focus on the positive. However, I tried to make a goulash to eat watching the Hungarian Grand Prix a few years ago which, let's say, was not my finest work.
What's your favourite thing about living in Melbourne?
I love the food culture. We are truly spoiled with all of the beautiful markets and producers. Also the different ethnicities which bring their cuisine, from Greek to Lebanese, Vietnamese to Ethiopian, it is certainly one of the great food cities of the world. It is a bonus to have the magnificent wineries in the Yarra Valley: Mornington Peninsula, Beechworth, Mt Macedon and more.
What do you miss most food-wise about Auckland?
I miss going out fishing with friends and coming back with fresh snapper and scallops. Kiwis are spoiled with their ability to go and get fresh seafood right on their doorstep. I love shucking scallops fresh out of the water and throwing them straight "down the hatch".
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Advertise with NZME.Do you have any guilty food pleasures?
I have a bit of a condiment problem and therefore my fridge is loaded with sauces, chutneys, pickles, etc. I do quite enjoy tomato sauce with eggs benedict. Also I have taken to using chopsticks to eat Cheezels and icecream (not together, of course!). You should try it.
What do you normally cook for yourself at home?
I love to cook at home as it is a great testing ground for new dishes, which I try on my girls. It is relaxing because there is no time pressure and I can have a beer or wine while cooking. I have been fascinated with cooking over charcoal and using my rotisserie. I have an eChurrasco gas-start charcoal barbecue, which makes cooking over charcoal quick and easy.
Where's the best place to buy groceries in Melbourne?
I am lucky enough to live a short distance from the Queen Victoria Market and shop there regularly. The range and quality of the produce is truly wonderful. For Asian ingredients, for both the restaurant and home, I am down at Victoria St in Richmond at least two or three times a week. It really feels like you are in Asia and you get to know who has the specialty herbs, noodles and dry goods.
Where's your favourite place to get burgers in Auckland?
I'm old school and have a special place for both Al & Pete's and The White Lady. As far as I'm concerned these are institutions and certainly shaped the way I think about burgers.
