Chelsea Wrightson of ECC on The Architecture of Happiness and her furniture buying philosophy

17 Sep 2021

As the Marketing Coordinator for ECC, Chelsea Wrightson represents the world’s leading lighting and furniture brands exclusively in New Zealand. As a Highly Sensitive Person (yes, it’s a real condition), she is deeply moved by what she experiences. Here, she shares the design pieces she has her eyes on, and the philosophies she follows — both in life and in interior design.

My personal style can be defined by: Black and white with a touch of the right green.

The last thing I bought and loved was: Apple AirPods. Soon to be my greatest enemy when the impending misplacement of my first pod occurs.

An unforgettable place I visited was: Mexico City. Complete organised chaos subdued by a wealth of colour, cuisine, history, humble people and great doors.

The next place I’d like to go to: Cartagena, Colombia.

An object I would never part with is: A Morsø cast iron stove top dish my dad gave me when I left home. I’ll never use, nor will I need to buy, another ugly non-stick frying pan ever again.

On my wish list is: A Peter Lorimer chefs knife.

When I was younger, I wanted to be: An architect.

I am inspired by: Anthony Bourdain. I coincidentally finished reading Kitchen Confidential on the eve of his death, and spent the entire day crying after. What a guy.

I recently discovered: The psychological term ‘HSP’ short for Highly Sensitive Person. A swift self-diagnosis was made when I identified with every single symptom. A nice relief not to feel like a freak.

My secret talent is: Keeping my whites white.

My favourite cultural/style icon is: Simon Porte Jacquemus. He is sunshine in a human being and I’m forever in awe of how he so creatively articulates his internal world.

My favourite app is: Apple photos. It’s become my visual gratitude journal.

I can’t miss an episode of: Country Calendar.

The podcasts I listen to are: Anything where Zach Bush is featured as a guest. His career story and research into microbiome are fascinating. I believe he’s worthy of a Nobel prize. On top of that, his disposition is so calm and collated. I often fall asleep listening to him.

The latest music I’m loving is: Ohio Players.

The best book I’ve read in the last year is: The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton. I re-read it every year and take away something new each time.

In my fridge you’ll always find: Cheese. Lots of it. Pecorino, goats chèvre — reliable jazz-ups to any meal.

The last meal out I had that truly impressed me was: Akarua Kitchen by Lake Hayes.

The best gift I ever received was: My friends.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is: Everyone you meet knows something you don’t. (A nice reminder to treat everyone with the same curiosity and open-mindedness).

My favourite three pieces in our showroom right now are: The Freeman sofa by Minotti, Klink side table by Piet Boon, and Last Order table lamps by Flos.

I’m obsessed with the work of: The photographer Salva Lopez.

If price were not an issue, the one artist whose work I would collect is: Peter Schlesinger. I naively enquired about a piece when I was 18, only to be told it was USD$56,000. I had to settle for his book.

When spending money on furniture, I recommend: Treating everything you buy as a significant investment. Big price tag or not, if you have to stare at it every day, sit in or eat from it, it’s an investment into your aesthetic and practical world. Honour your senses, life’s too short to fill your home with pieces that offer you nothing.

www.ecc.co.nz

Design

Step inside an elegantly transformed Grey Lynn residence

Design

Discover Matchbox — an alluring new destination for car enthusiasts

Design

Sage Advice: The experts at Resene guide us on why this soothing shade is the colour of the season

Hankering for The Engine Room’s iconic cheese soufflé? Lucky for you we have the owners’ personal recipe

16 Sep 2021

The original inspiration for The Engine Room’s signature dish came from co-owner Natalia Schamroth’s friend’s mother, who would often make a single-baked soufflé for dinner. A volcanic-like savoury pudding was presented in the middle of the dining table for everyone to share, and sparked an idea.

“Long before The Engine Room existed, we would often make this soufflé for a very quick-to-prepare and most satisfying dinner,” says Schamroth, who makes this recipe at home with her husband, and other half of The Engine Room, Carl Koppenhagen. “This single-baked soufflé is a less rich and more precarious version of what we have been serving at The Engine Room for the past fifteen years. The twice-baked individual style is baked with an extra mountain of parmesan cheese and a lush creamy sauce. Both versions have a place in our world!”

So long as you stick to the science of this recipe, the flavours are easily adaptable, says Schamroth. Adding ham, caramelised onions or slow-cooked fennel would all work well.

The Engine Room Owners’ Single-Baked Cheese Soufflé Recipe
Serves 2

Ingredients:
60g softened unsalted butter
40g finely grated parmesan cheese
250ml whole milk
30g plain flour
1 handful of soft herbs (chervil, chives, parsley), finely chopped
100g hard cheese, grated
4 eggs, separated
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly ground nutmeg

Method:
1. Heat oven to 200°C.
2. Use half of the butter to grease the bottom and sides of the baking dish. Use a little of the parmesan cheese to ‘dust’ and coat the butter. Place the baking dish in the fridge while you are preparing the soufflé.
3. Gently heat the milk until warm to the touch. In a heavy-based saucepan, melt the remaining butter, add the flour, stir over low heat for 5 minutes, until the flour is cooked but not browned. Carefully add in the milk to the butter and flour, in one go. Whisk fast until all lumps disappear.
4. Stir the sauce for 5 minutes, simmering over low heat then add the herbs, parmesan and grated cheese, stir until well combined. Transfer the mixture into a large bowl then beat the egg yolks in one by one until completely combined. Season highly with salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste, then set aside.
5. Beat the egg whites until they form firm, glossy peaks. Fold half of the egg whites into the cheese mixture until well combined. Then very gently fold the remaining egg whites into the mixture. Taste the mixture and re-season if needed.
6. Remove the baking dish from the fridge and pour the soufflé mixture into it. Run your thumb around the edge of the soufflé mixture. Place the baking dish into the centre of the oven – set a timer for 25 minutes (do not open the door)!
7. The soufflé will have risen and be golden brown on top. For a softer, creamier centre, remove the soufflé from the oven at this point. If you prefer a firmer texture, leave the soufflé to bake for a further 5 minutes.
8. Don’t hesitate, immediately take the soufflé to the dining table and serve with a large, wet spoon alongside a salad of your choice.

Tips:
— You’ll need a heavy ovenproof dish that is approximately one and a half litres in volume, larger is better than smaller.
— Choose any cheese you like; a salty blue, sharp cheddar or aged goat gouda all work well.
— We like to add soft herbs such as chervil, chives and parsley but smaller amounts of thyme and marjoram are nice too.
— Please note, the mixture needs to be highly seasoned before baking.
— This makes a perfect light dinner or lunch alongside a fragrant salad. Our favourite salad to go with this is made with sorrel, witloof, chervil, parsley and roasted walnuts. And always a sharp, Dijon vinaigrette.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Engine Room Eatery (@theengineroom)

Gastronomy

Your first look at Billy’s — Ayrburn’s refined new Chinese-inspired eatery

Gastronomy

This weekend, we recommend indulging in Andiamo’s delectable new pizzas

Gastronomy

Denizen’s definitive guide to the best sandwiches in town

Matt Dickson and Monica Tischler from Ligne Roset on their art and design heroes, and that Togo chair

16 Sep 2021

Coveted furniture brand Ligne Roset has remained a family business in France for over 160 years. Its highly-anticipated new Auckland showroom, Ligne Roset NZ, continues with the family theme — run by Managing Director Matt Dickson and his partner Marketing Director Monica Tischler, who have recently welcomed their son Jude. From vibrant floral artwork, including a recent Karl Maughan purchase, to Michel Ducaroy’s famous Togo chair, in limited-edition houndstooth no less, together they share some of their favourite things.

My personal style can be defined as:
Monica: Modern and chic.
Matt: Eclectic.

The last thing I bought and loved was:
Monica: An artwork by Karl Maughan for our living room. Its bright florals bring a smile to my face every day.

An object I would never part with is:
Matt: Our Togo in limited edition houndstooth print (pictured above).

An unforgettable place I visited was:
Monica: Te Arai Lodge; a taste of Tuscany just north of Auckland. The hosts lovingly prepare meals for guests using fresh produce from the onsite gardens.
Matt: The Flying Fox retreat, nestled on the banks of Whanganui River.

The next place I’d like to go to is:
Monica: Back to the yoga studio at Eastwest.
Matt: France, hopefully within the next year or two!

The best book I’ve read in the last year is:
Monica: Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse.
Matt: Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Restaurant Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl.

My favourite app is:
Monica: Lightroom. I love photography.

My guilty pleasure is:
Matt: Whittaker’s Peanut Butter chocolate.

The latest music we’re loving is:
Monica & Matt: Muroki and Reiki Ruawai.

On my wish list is:
Monica: Art for our bedroom. To add to my love of vibrant floral work, I have my eye on pieces by Carmel Van Der Hoeven, Katherine Throne and Liam Gerrard.

Wigmore Driveway, Hahei, New Years Day by Liam Gerrard.

If price were not an issue, the one artist whose work we would collect is:
Monica & Matt: We couldn’t commit to just one so we would become extensive collectors of original New Zealand art!

My favourite cultural/style icon is:
Monica: I admire anyone who is authentic in the way they dress and present themselves. To me, that’s iconic.

When I was younger, I wanted to be:
Monica: An actress or television presenter.
Matt: An architect.

I am inspired by:
Monica: My friends and family, who are teachers, nurses, paramedics, psychologists and mothers. Collectively, their vocations make not just mine, but the greater world, a better place.

My secret talent is:
Monica: As a first-time mother to our son, Jude, my newfound talent is being able to squeeze everything I want to achieve in the day into his nap windows. Sometimes that’s prepping dinner at 9am or attempting an express workout. Other times it’s sitting on the sofa indulging in Netflix.

The last meal out we had that truly impressed us was:
Monica & Matt: We are impressed time and time again with the seasonal degustation menu at Lillius. The sourdough bread served as a starter is the best in the business. After one Sunday lunch, we were lucky enough to go home with a surplus loaf.

The best gift I ever received was:
Monica: A gold ring for my 30th birthday, gifted by my family and hand-cast by my sister, Elsie, a jewellery designer.
Matt: Our son.

I recently discovered:
Monica: Unconditional love for our son, and a renewed appreciation for my mother.

I’m obsessed with the work of:
Matt: French furniture designer, Pierre Paulin, is an absolute master of modernity. His exceptional body of work lives on, including in our home. We relax on his sofa, Andy, every day.

My favourite three pieces in our showroom right now are:
Monica: The Prado settee by Christian Werner with its moveable counter-weighted back cushions, the Geoffrey mirror by Alain Gilles and the Coplan sideboard by Pagnon & Pelhaître.

Ligne Roset Prado settee by Christian Werner.

Ligne Roset Geoffrey mirror by Alain Gilles and Ligne Roset Togo Sofa and chair.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is:
Monica: Growing up, my mother told me: “Don’t be afraid of a broken heart.” It helped me to be fearless with the decisions I made, not just in love but in all aspects of life and its trickiness. It gave me the courage to endure temporary pain in order to enjoy a future that was authentic.
Matt: In business, if you don’t do it, someone else will.

The one thing people should invest their money on when it comes to furniture is:
Matt: Right now, if you are working from home, a good desk that is not only practical but beautiful would be a good investment. But in general, people should look to invest in pieces where they spend most of their time; for some that could be the bedroom, the living room or the dining room.

www.ligne.nz

Design

Step inside an elegantly transformed Grey Lynn residence

Design

Discover Matchbox — an alluring new destination for car enthusiasts

Design

Sage Advice: The experts at Resene guide us on why this soothing shade is the colour of the season

Aje founders Edwina Forest and Adrian Norris on platform slides, career paths and Missing Panther

16 Sep 2021

Founded by best friends Edwina Forest and Adrian Norris in 2008, Australian fashion brand Aje has since grown a dedicated and substantial following for its signature voluminous silhouettes, bespoke prints and natural fabrics. The Sydney-based duo opened their second standalone New Zealand store in Commercial Bay last year, and here they share their current influences and style predictions.

My personal style can be defined by:
Edwina: A cacophony of contradictions; feminine with a masculine edge, classic with a unique twist, considered with a strong air of nonchalance.
Adrian: Relaxed, but with a lot of fashion. Kind of surfer x fashionista x tradie x athlete. I’m a bit confused at the moment.

The last thing I bought and loved was:
Edwina: A purchase for me is either spontaneous and instinctual or supremely considered hence I rarely suffer from buyer’s remorse.
Adrian: My Citrine aura clearing bracelet.

My top picks for the season ahead are:
Edwina: Anything from our Resort 22 collection but I’m particularly excited by our sunglass collaboration with Local Supply. I have an intense sunglass obsession and these were beyond fun to create.
Adrian: Colour, colour and more colour!

An unforgettable place I visited was:
Edwina: La Colombe d’Or, Saint-Paul de Vence, France.
Adrian: Ikaria in Greece.

The next place I’d like to go to:
Edwina: Desperate to be back in France.
Adrian: I can’t wait to be back in Italy and Greece during the summer.

An object I would never part with is:
Edwina: My wedding and engagement rings.
Adrian: My grandmother’s silver necklace.

On my wish list is:
Edwina: No longer a wish, now a reality — a very special birthday gift from my husband, my dream watch.
Adrian: A new car.

When I was younger, I wanted to be:
Edwina: Many things — A movie star, a TV presenter, an artist, but ultimately a fashion designer. I followed a convoluted path, but I got there.
Adrian: An artist.

I am inspired by:
Edwina: Beauty. Spontaneity. Magic. My daughter’s laugh.
Adrian: The incredible women around me.

My favourite app is:
Edwina: Insight Timer. I would be lost without Sarah Blondin’s gentle wisdom.
Adrian: Calm.

My guilty pleasure is:
Edwina: Bathing. I could, and often do bathe for hours.
Adrian: Exercising too much.

My secret talent is:
Edwina: Floral arrangements. I’m certain I was a florist in a past life.
Adrian: Cooking.

My favourite cultural/style icon is:
Edwina: Two spring to mind, both of whom have inspired an Aje collection — Georgia O’Keeffe and Wendy Whiteley.

The best book I’ve read in the last year is:
Edwina: I was quite spellbound by Anastasia by Vladamir Megré. The first in a series of nine.
Adrian: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, an adaptation of Homer’s Iliad.

I can’t miss an episode of:
Edwina: I’m not a TV watcher but like most, I got very hooked on The Handmaid’s Tale although certain similarities to what is happening in the world right now, made watching quite painful.
Adrian: Grand Designs.

In my fridge you’ll always find:
Edwina: Raw milk.
Adrian: Goat kefir.

I recently discovered:
Edwina: Platform slides. I’ve always been such a heel and boot girl, but they are supremely comfortable.
Adrian: Podcasts (I know, I know very late to the party).

Triumph of Galatea, 1961, oil, crayon, and pencil on canvas by Cy Twombly.

A classic piece I never tire of is:
Edwina: A white linen long line Aje blazer with raw edges and an open back.
Adrian: My perfect white tees that my supplier makes specifically for me.

My favourite website is:
Edwina: With equal amounts of love — Business of Fashion and Vogue Runway.
Adrian: Jamesedition.com for the dreaming.

If price were not an issue, the one artist whose work I would collect is:
Edwina: Cy Twombly.
Adrian: Brett Whiteley.

The last meal out I had that truly impressed me was:
Edwina: It’s been too long to recall but my husband’s culinary prowess since lockdown has moved from great to extraordinary so I am loving dining at home. However, I will always harbour the fondest memories of every meal ever eaten at Fratelli Paradiso, and Dear Saint Eloise, both local favourites.
Adrian: I haven’t eaten out in a long time! Currently loving cooking for my family though.

The podcasts I listen to are:
Adrian: Weird! I’m obsessed with Missing Panther at the moment.

The best gift I ever received was:
Edwina: My husband and my daughter.
Adrian: My family.

The latest music I’m loving is:
Edwina: Astrud Gilberto.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is:
Edwina: “Live by your own rules.”
Adrian: “Don’t be an architect — you’ll forever be designing your dream home but never end up living in it!” (I also wanted to be an architect.)

The new piece I’m currently most inspired by is:
Edwina: The hot pink ruffle mini dress from our Resort 22 collection.
Adrian: All the prints and colours from Aje Resort Collection!

This summer, I predict that everyone is going to be wearing
Both: Aje (of course!)

ajeworld.co.nz

Coveted

We sit down with Hélène and Jeanne Karpov — the artists preserving authentic craftsmanship

Coveted

Elevate your everyday essentials with this 90s-inspired layered T-shirt trend

Coveted

Three ways to style the ultimate winter staple

Set a stylish new frequency for your dining table with Rosenthal’s Rose Quartz porcelain plates

16 Sep 2021

When setting the table, why not set an intention too with Rosenthal’s newest Rose Quartz tableware? A tribute to the healing gemstone, intended to strengthen the emotional side of the human being, the new look is designed to bring us together around a shared table.

As part of the Junto collection, the new Rose Quartz shade is hand-glazed artfully in varying gradients that make any meal a feast for the eyes. The strong, natural tone, in harmony with the other warm and cool nuances of the collection, come in many bowls in different sizes that can be combined in new ways. In ever new facets and shapes, the Rose Quartz colourway is the perfect pairing for a lunch with a bottle of summer rosé.

www.thestudio.co.nz

Design

Step inside an elegantly transformed Grey Lynn residence

Design

Discover Matchbox — an alluring new destination for car enthusiasts

Design

Sage Advice: The experts at Resene guide us on why this soothing shade is the colour of the season

Todd Stevenson of Powersurge on transformative design, David Bowie and duck delicacies

16 Sep 2021

As the co-founder of Powersurge, Todd Stevenson leads a design-forward team in creating bespoke metal works for beautiful commercial spaces and New Zealand homes. Melding engineering and art to work with the best in the business, he brings together various references into one contemporary classic piece. Here Stevenson distils what catches his eye at the moment.

My personal style can be defined by: Jackets. In all shapes and sizes. I have a collection of over 40.

The last thing I bought and loved was: Our new stereo system, made in New Zealand by Plinius with french Focal speakers. It’s extremely loud and distortion free, so I’m a happy man.

An unforgettable place I visited was: New York will always be up there for me. The vibrancy and energy is something else. On the flipside, a friend’s bach on Lake Taupo feels equally as unforgettable, I am a big fisherman so anywhere near the water is a winner.

The next place I’d like to go to: Pre the pandemic we were about to go to Egypt, I’ve always wanted to see the pyramids so that’s still on the list. A trip around the South Island is definitely calling.

An object I would never part with is: Our 1966 Mercedes 230s Finny, it’s black with a red interior. We bought it in mint condition about 17 years ago from a very sweet elderly couple in Hamilton.

On my wish list is: A bach somewhere in the South Island.

When I was younger, I wanted to be: I never really had a specific career in mind as a kid, I just wanted to make stuff. I made all sorts of bits growing up and eventually it evolved into what I do now.

I am inspired by: Art deco architecture.

My favourite app is: Strava. I am a big cyclist and tracking all my rides allows my competitive side to thrive (against myself).

My guilty pleasure is: Wine. Nothing quite like the solo after work glass while I get dinner on with some good beats blasting in the background…

My secret talent is: Cooking. I really love it — I have quite an obsessive personality and food is one of the many things I got really into. Growing up food was pretty bland so when I started to discover it properly I just threw myself into understanding it.

My favourite cultural/style icon is: David Bowie. It doesn’t matter where or when I listen to him, his music still feels totally relevant — a profound musician, a free thinker, a legend, a visionary.

The best book I’ve read in the last year is: I am dyslexic so reading in the conventional way that most do has never come naturally, although I deeply wish it would. In saying that, it really does depend on the topic but being such a visual person you’ll mostly find me flicking through design books and magazines (of which we have quite a big collection). Tom Kundig: Works is one I’ve gone back to a lot in the last year.

I can’t miss an episode of: I am a bit of a binger and what I do watch is pretty eclectic. It’s either whatever the latest sci-fi thriller is or a documentary on some crazy engineering feat gone wrong.

In my fridge you’ll always find: Duck legs. A beautiful meat to cook with — they knock chicken out of the park every day of the week.

I recently discovered: That I will soon be a grandparent — our eldest daughter is pregnant and I am beyond excited about becoming a poppa.

My favourite website is: Trade Me.

Envious Composure, 2012 by Albert Paley.

If price were not an issue, the one artist whose work I would collect is: Albert Paley. I find his sculptures totally awe-inspiring.

The last meal out I had that truly impressed me was: The Chef’s Table at Blue Duck Station. Absolutely worth the trip for breathtaking scenery and phenomenal food. Dan, Jack and Beth have created something truly extraordinary, I suggest booking as soon as lockdown is over.

The podcasts I listen to are: I don’t actually listen to a lot of podcasts but my wife/business partner always has something on the go so I tend to listen by proxy. It could be anything from mindfulness to investing.

The best gift I ever received was: Finding out that I will be a Dad, and now a Grandad!

The latest music I’m loving is: I’m pretty into house music at the moment, Bicep springs to mind.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is: Feel the fear and do it anyway. It was actually the pick-up line I used on my wife 28 years ago — so it seems to have worked pretty well.

From left: The Lito Trio, Link pendant and Etch Lever handle from Powersurge.

My favourite three pieces we have made to date are: The Lito Trio lighting, Link pendant and Etch Lever handle.

I’m obsessed with the work of: Gaudi. Being inside the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona was a pretty transformative experience.

When looking for new furniture, I recommend: Buy locally and support your people. We have an abundance of excellent designers and makers right here in Aotearoa.

www.powersurge.co.nz

Design

Step inside an elegantly transformed Grey Lynn residence

Design

Discover Matchbox — an alluring new destination for car enthusiasts

Design

Sage Advice: The experts at Resene guide us on why this soothing shade is the colour of the season

Beyoncé and Jay-Z stun with famous diamonds and romantic melodies in Tiffany & Co.’s intimate film

15 Sep 2021

As part of their history-making ‘About Love’ campaign for Tiffany & Co., supernova power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z both star in a beautifully intimate new film. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Emmanuel Adjei (who also directed Beyoncé’s visionary 2020 project Black is King), the 90-second film depicts the duo’s love for one another in various playful and romantic scenes, overlaid with Beyoncé’s velvety serenade.

She is lending her famous vocals to a reinterpretation of ‘Moon River’, made famous in 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Throughout the ‘About Love’ campaign film, Beyonce wears a selection of remarkable diamond pieces, including the famous Tiffany Diamond, while Jay-Z also wears a notable selection of jewels — including one-of-a-kind cufflinks that reimagine Jean Schlumberger’s Bird on a Rock brooch. Read more about the campaign’s initial launch here.

Captured at the Orum House in Los Angeles, a Zoltan Pali-designed, three-level, 1,746-square-metre home chosen especially by the Carters for this purpose, the film moves between Adjei’s polished lens and warm, intimate clips shot by Jay-Z on Super 8. All in all, it is a beautiful ode to long-lasting love — no doubt made even sweeter with some of the world’s most famous diamonds.

Watch the film above, and be sure to check out our Instagram for a New Zealand-exclusive BTS clip from the campaign.

Coveted

We sit down with Hélène and Jeanne Karpov — the artists preserving authentic craftsmanship

Coveted

Elevate your everyday essentials with this 90s-inspired layered T-shirt trend

Coveted

Three ways to style the ultimate winter staple

Hello Beasty’s scrumptious katsu sando recipe is here to satisfy all your cravings

15 Sep 2021

By now, we are seriously craving the dishes we know and love from restaurants all over a lockdowned Auckland. One, in particular, that has been on our mind — if not the menu — is Hello Beasty’s scrumptious katsu sando. A triumph of pillowy bread, crunchy cabbage, crispy fried chicken and tangy tonkatsu sauce, the team from the Viaduct Harbour eatery has kindly shared its previously closely-guarded recipe, so you can enjoy this cure-all sandwich at home.

Hello Beasty’s Katsu Sando Recipe
Makes 2

Ingredients:
⅛ white cabbage, shredded
2 Tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise
2 eggs
1 free-range chicken breast, tenderised so the fillet is even but still quite thick
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
100ml of oil
Japanese milk bun, regular white buns or white bread
¼ of a bottle of tonkatsu sauce — available from Farro and Countdown

Method:
1. Add cabbage to a bowl with a pinch of salt and scrunch with your hands — this will soften the cabbage and will stop the mayo from running. Leave for a few minutes — then add the Kewpie mayo and mix together to combine. Set the slaw aside while you prep your crumbed chicken.
2. Whisk eggs in a shallow bowl, dip the chicken breast in the eggs then coat with the breadcrumbs.
3. Cook the chicken with oil in a pan on medium-high heat for 5 minutes on each side or until cooked through. You’ll know they’re cooked when they are firm to touch (the meat will spring back when pressed) and you can hear the juices start to sizzle in the pan. If you’re worried the chicken is cooking too fast on the outside and might burn, you can remove it from the stovetop and finish it in a hot oven.
4. Once cooked, rest the chicken on a paper towel, and lightly toast your bread on one side.
5. Dip the cooked crumbed chicken fillets into the bowl of tonkatsu, layer the chicken onto a piece of bread (un-toasted side out), and top with a generous layer of slaw, before closing with another slice of bread.
6. For the proper Sando look — trim away the crusts, cut the sandwiches in half, and spike with a skewer to keep them together.

Tips:
— At the restaurant we make our own tonkatsu sauce and do a pork loin sando in a soft white milk bun — but at home we used chicken breasts and thick white Tip Top bread.
— We tenderised the chicken so the fillet was of even thickness (but not making it as thin as a schnitzel), then crumbed and fried it.
— The bread was a little too soft, so if you have access to a good quality white farmers loaf (or are prepared to make some!) cut into thick slices — that would be perfect. But, we’re in lockdown — so we use what we can get our hands on right?

www.hellobeasty.nz

Gastronomy

Your first look at Billy’s — Ayrburn’s refined new Chinese-inspired eatery

Gastronomy

This weekend, we recommend indulging in Andiamo’s delectable new pizzas

Gastronomy

Denizen’s definitive guide to the best sandwiches in town

Get inspired with these recently-released memoirs that deserve a place on your bookshelf

15 Sep 2021

Gaining insight into the true lives, loves, losses and lessons of some of the world’s most interesting people can help us reflect on our own states of being. These thought-provoking memoirs are sure to help you do just that, from the journey of one of New Zealand’s most important literary figures to a celebrated rock musician who’s seen it all; an actor whose openness will help you feel less alone, and a writer who will transport you with both her superb prose and inspiring ruminations.

From the Centre: A Writer’s Life by Patricia Grace
Moving through both her life and literary works, this memoir from a deeply celebrated writer (who, in 1975, was the first-ever published Māori female author), gives insight into her formative experiences, both uplifting and challenging, from childhood onwards.

The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl
With a career as long and colourful as Dave Grohl’s — ex-Nirvana drummer, founder of Foo Fighters — there is sure to be just as many colourful anecdotes. Written in his own hand, this is a personal deep-dive into a riveting back catalogue.

You Got Anything Stronger? by Gabrielle Union
Following her New York Times bestseller, We’re Going to Need More Wine, the actor’s second memoir picks up four years later — and much has changed, both globally and personally. Here, she finds strength in vulnerability, encouraging her readers to do the same.

The Magic Years: Scenes from a Rock-and-Roll Life by Jonathan Taplin
You may not have heard of the author but his career is legendary. Since starting out as tour manager for Bob Dylan in the 60s, Taplin has been close to some of the greatest talents in pop culture, and has the tales to prove it.

Real Estate by Deborah Levy
The final instalment from the acclaimed author of a ‘living memoir’ written as a trilogy, Real Estate is an intimate rumination on the concept of home and the complexities that can hold. An exquisitely written exploration of legacy, belonging and what it means to grow older, Levy’s prose and astute observations are enlightening and inspiring.

Culture

Everything we know so far about Lena Dunham’s return to TV with Too Much

Culture

The ultimate excuse to dress up and do something different

Culture

From escapist novels to moving memoirs, these are the best new books to read now

Anita Tótha of Sanderson Contemporary on her secret talents, favourite art pieces and go-to Auckland eateries

15 Sep 2021

As Gallery Manager of Sanderson Contemporary with 17 years of experience in the industry, Anita Tótha is no stranger to seeking out and being surrounded by beauty. It’s no surprise her artful approach permeates throughout the rest of her tastes, and here she takes a moment to delve into some recent favourites.

My personal style can be defined by: Euro-chic most days. Quality, sustainable wardrobe staples are essential.

The last thing I bought and loved was: The Kati Coat from Harris Tapper, pearl earrings from Zoe and Morgan and some macadamia nuts.

An unforgettable place I visited was: Impossible to name just one location — Fiordland Ata Whenua, Poor Knights Islands, Budapest, Tunisia.

The next place I’d like to go to: Home to New York — I haven’t seen my family in two-and-a-half years!

An object I would never part with is: My vast photobook and artbook collection. Oh, and my Le Creuset — you can put my ashes in it!

My favourite three pieces in our gallery right now are: Am I allowed to choose favourites? We currently have stunning ethereal ceramics by Julie Cromwell and Wi Taepa, new paintings by Scott Gardiner and recent photographs by Mickey Smith.

On my wish list is: Anything from Jacquemus. And several photobooks — Masahisa Fukase, Hoda Afshar, Luke Shadbolt to name a few.

When I was younger, I wanted to be: A photographer.

I am inspired by: Anyone living through these unprecedented times.

My favourite app is: Instagram, but it’s definitely a love/hate relationship.

My guilty pleasure is: Gluten.

My secret talent is: Eating. Oh, and singing. Not at the same time.

My favourite cultural/style icon is: Claudia Cardinale, Monica Vitti and my mom and her five sisters in the 80s.

The best book I’ve read in the last year is: East of Eden by John Steinbeck, Why Look at Animals? by John Berger and Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

An emerging artist I’m excited about is: We have a few emerging artists showing in the near future at Sanderson — Molly Timmins, Zara Dolan and a few other surprises — an exciting gallery programme planned for the next six months, stay tuned.

XXL – 4L/8C – SPBR – OPOS – Autumn/1 by Zara Dolan.

I can’t miss an episode of: I have never owned a television in my adult life and I rarely watch online streaming channels — but occasionally I indulge in old episodes of The Golden Girls on YouTube and the perennial favourite, David Attenborough.

In my fridge you’ll always find: Chilli oil from Hugo’s Bistro, a recent find. Highly recommended on eggs.

I recently discovered: The paintings of Amrita Sher-Gil, a Hungarian-Indian artist.

My favourite website is: Sanderson.co.nz, of course.

If price were not an issue, the one artist whose work I would collect is: Helen Frankenthaler, Ruth Asawa, Jean Arp, Penelope Umbrico, André Kertész, and Kehinde Wiley.

The last meal out I had that truly impressed me was: It’s hard to choose! But these are the restaurants I go to for an excellent meal and friendly staff: Hugo’s Bistro, Apero, Omni, Cazador, The Candyshop, Des Traditions (Mt Roskill), Try It Out (Ōtāhuhu), Cielito Lindo (Henderson). Oh, and I can’t live without my mother-in-law’s dolma (stuffed grape leaves).

The podcasts I listen to are: BBC’s Desert Island Discs and The Food Chain.

The latest music I’m loving is: Donda — Kanye West. And jazz, all the time.

I have always been fascinated by: Henri Matisse’s Cut-Outs and Flower Festival: Feast of Santa Anita by Diego Rivera — artworks that I return to time and time again.

The best gift I ever received was: Small mementoes of artworks from some of our gallery artists. And my mom sends me little pressed flowers sometimes from New York.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is: “You don’t know until you know” — courtesy of my friend Henry.

www.sanderson.co.nz

Design

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Gastronomy

Design

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Coveted

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Design

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Design

Coveted

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Gastronomy

Culture

Culture

Connect with us

CURRENT ISSUE

Gastronomy, Style, Culture, Design, Wellbeing, Travel.

Sign up to the Denizen Weekly

Interested in Advertising?