Rick Stein's Gourmet New Zealand

Rick Stein, the acclaimed chef, took time out of his busy schedule to travel to the Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island with Austravel. Here he discovered the fresh fish and fine wines that define this area as a gourmet’s wonderland, find out more in our interview with Rick…

What attracted you to the Otago region of New Zealand?

I have long heard about a restaurant on the coast at Moeraki, just North of Dunedin called Fleur's Place. Fleur Sullivan is in her mid 60's and has had a rich and eventful life so far. Now she runs an exquisitely photogenic fish restaurant on the quay of this little fishing village all with painted wooden houses and bobbing boats. The trip was a bit of a pilgrimage to meet something of a legend and eat her absolutely fresh fish.

And, did the fresh fish at Fleur's Place live up to your expectations?

The fish is superb. Blue cod is what to go for, lightly dusted in flour and pan fried.

Did Fleur manage to teach you anything new in the kitchen?

She reminded me of the most important maxim in cooking – keep it simple.

How does the lifestyle and scenery at Moeraki compare to that of your coastal home in Padstow, Cornwall?

Moeraki reminded me of the way Padstow and the surrounding beaches used to be. It’s tiny compared to Padstow which is actually a bit more than a village (population 3,000) but the informal, open air lifestyle was similar. I had wild fantasies of finding such a site in Cornwall and starting again doing lunch in a fishing shack somewhere.

There are many wineries around the Central Otago region, which one was your favourite?

We stayed at three of them – Rocky Range in Alexandra, the Costerphine House in Dunedin and The Boutique Bed and Breakfast, Waikouaiti. Rocky Range is a damn fine place. It’s part of a classification of sort of upmarket bed and breakfasts and guesthouses called Guest and Hosted. The name’s not my cup of tea but it does work as a category. The Costerphine is an old mansion in Costerphine a smart suburb which is expensive but extremely comfortable with great views over the city, while The Boutique Bed and Breakfast is up near Fleur's Place and would be my choice of somewhere very friendly to stay after a riotous night at Fleur’s.

Did all the Kiwis live up to their friendly and hospitable reputation?

I think people in my part of the world think of Kiwis as so far away as to be a bit unsophisticated. This was not my impression, friendly and informal, yes, but pretty smart as well with an intelligent sense of hospitality.

Other than New Zealand's great food and wine, what were the highlights of your trip?

The view of Queenstown from the bluff above, but above all the Otago peninsula.

Where's next on your travelling hitlist?

I did Ayers Rock last October as well as Otago, I would love to return to the Red Centre just to walk in the Olgas. Other than that, a trip to the Kimberley’s (Western Australia) and a drive right down the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. I’m also off to Byron Bay, for the first time, this year.

Rick Stein owns and runs four restaurants in the small Cornish fishing village of Padstow. He has written 10 cookery books, made eight TV cookery series and cooked for many famous people including the Queen.