We chat with Tim Read, the latest winner of Masterchef New Zealand!
Since being announced Masterchef Season 6 Winner, would you say you are living your dream?
Yea it’s been an unreal experience. To be able to think, talk and eat food on a daily basis has be so much fun. There’s a lot of hard work going on and I am loving it.
How would you describe your philosophy behind the food you like to eat and cook, and health and wellness in general?
My food philosophy is about connecting the process of food with the table, as early as possible and then encouraging the sharing of that with others. A meal for me starts with the alarm going off for a day’s fishing or the digging of a hole for a seed to be planted. If you can create memories with others along the way; I don’t know if the meal really does end, it lives on in those memories. My physio background helps me to understand health to mean so much more than not having the flu. For me I get mental and emotional gains from being outdoors and in nature and my food philosophy encourages that so I guess it is all intrinsically linked.
Do you, or have you had a role model in cooking that has helped you get to where you are now?
Yea I’ve had a couple who have been instrumental. My friends dad, Scottie Milne was the first. He is brilliant at delegating tasks for dinner so you’re all involved and working together. That’s brought about so many fun memories for me. The other is Al Brown, he’s inspired me through his cookbooks, then in person on the show, that the field-to-table process is something to be enjoyed and savoured.
Do you have an all-time favourite food or recipe?
My favourite food is anything that I’ve hunted or gathered myself. There’s so much joy for me that comes from eating a lettuce I’ve grown or a fillet of fish that I caught that day.
What’s a lazy baked-beans-on-toast type dinner, Tim Read style?
That would have to be toasted sandwiches. You can throw anything in them. I love that on a Sunday night when you can use the left over roast beef or chicken from the night before and get really creative.
How are cooking duties divided up in your household? Is cooking ever a chore for you?
I’m living with my Aunty and Uncle at the moment and we are all seldom home at the same time. It is meant to be shared around between us but, between you and I, I haven’t done a huge amount at home in the last few months.
And lastly… what’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I grew up in Levin then moved to Auckland to ‘study’ but the dream was to become a professional cricket player – a decent injury stopped my chances of that.
You can find Tim on Facebook here. And keep and eye out for Tim’s cookbook in the new year too!
The post 5 Minutes With… NZ Masterchef Winner, Tim Read appeared first on Oh Natural.