Monica Galetti

“I have a huge collection of cookery books, like most chefs. do I regularly revisit Michel Roux Snr's 'The Collection,' particularly for the precise recipes and because the food photography is simply beautiful.”

“You should only do what you do - in my case, cooking - while you still love to do it. But if you lose the passion, that's when you should stop, get out, and go and do something else with your life.”

“When you're buying your whole fish, check that the eyes are clear and gills are a bright red colour and that there is no 'fishy' smell.”

“I use charcoal in lots of things at Mere, from bread and choux to batters and sauces. I like the shock factor of the intense black colour without it tainting the curry spices, which happens when you use squid ink.”

“I was raised in the Pacific Islands, so I remember picking fruit every morning for breakfast or collecting the eggs from the chickens in the garden. It was a very simple life, but we had all of these fresh ingredients on our doorstep.”

“I hate my smile.”

“We had to move to New Zealand when I was eight for a better life.”

“Michel Roux Jr is like an older brother to me and he constantly pushed me to learn - even when I was young and I probably didn't appreciate what he was doing for me.”

“I don't like to watch myself on 'Masterchef: The Professionals.' I cringe; it makes me feel sick, and I have to turn the TV off. I like doing television, and bringing what I do to a wide audience, but I don't have to watch myself, do I?”

“Some people find the appearance of cuttlefish off-putting, but I think this lesser eaten fish is really exciting and versatile. It's similar to squid or octopus and should either be cooked quickly on a high heat or very low and slow until it's tender.”

“Trying to balance a career at the high end of the industry with being a mother is always tough.”

“It takes me a long time to unwind when I'm on holiday - at least three or four days.”

“When I was growing up, the Roux brothers, Michel's father and uncle, Albert and Michel Sr, they were my idols. I regarded them as royalty.”

“My mum is the youngest of 14, so I have a huge extended family.”

“There's always been more men than women in the profession... I think at certain points young women think 'I want a family' and they can't balance the two.”

“I had four brothers and a sister, and there was always a lot of family around, so the house was loud and lively. I'm from an island background; it's all about family.”

“I absolutely adore beetroot in all shapes and sizes - I even grow them when possible.”

“My first travel experiences were around New Zealand. The scenery is stunning at Milford Sound and Potts Glacier.”

“I just love it when the chefs start to gain in confidence and it gets really exciting.”

“I feel safe in Auckland but it's best to be careful in any city. There's the odd pickpocket like anywhere else but if you're street-smart, you'll be okay.”