What are your family links to Mercury Bay?
My family links to Mercury Bay are my grandparents, Kevin Brown, long-time resident and ex-commercial fisherman from Kūaotunu, and Christine Carter, who had the Civic Video store for 20+ years. My twin brother and I grew up in Kūaotunu.
When did you live in Mercury Bay?
I grew up in Kūaotunu and moved to Auckland to study to become a chef – later moving to Australia to further my career.
How long did you live in Mercury Bay?
I lived in Mercury Bay for 18 years. I studied at Mercury Bay Area School from Year 9 to Year 12.
What have you been doing since school?
Once I left school, I took the chance to become an apprentice chef at two renowned Auckland restaurants, The Grove and then the Baduzzi. I next worked as a chef in Australia for 5 years, in Sydney. Since then, I’ve been working in Guangzhou, China as Executive Head Chef of a Michelin restaurant.
What would be the achievement you are most proud of?
I’m not one to gloat about achievements, I just put the work in – but most recently, being the Executive Head Chef of a fine dining restaurant and getting to be on the Michelin star stage accepting the award was very special. Also receiving the award Chef of the Year and best French Restaurant at the age of 26 was a pretty cool feeling.
Have you been back to Whitianga recently? What were your impressions?
I came back during the start of the pandemic for a few months, and wow, it had changed a lot! I noticed this big change because I had been away for eight years and did not come home so often before. More people, more houses, and more modern, but nothing is like home! It’s always a privilege coming back and calling Whitianga and Kūaotunu home. It’s still like slowing down or going back in time compared to the place I live in now, in a city of 30+ million people.
What are your fondest memories of home?
My fondest memories would have to be summer times. Fishing and diving and hanging out with my mates and my grandparents.
Who were some of your friends in the early years ?
Before going to Mercury Bay, I was at Te Rerenga School, so when we all went off the bay, we stuck pretty close. JJ Parr, Sam Oliver, Karl Glen and Karl Bryant, to name some off the top of my head. JJ and I, and a few others actually, went to kindy together in the old Kūaotunu hall.
Any other information that may be relevant ?
Coming from such a small, diverse town and having grassroots there definitely helped me along my journey.
Supported by Ron Morgan
