Behind the scenes on the set of the new Peter Gordon cookbook with Grant Allen (left). Photo / Jason Dorday
Behind the scenes on the set of the new Peter Gordon cookbook with Grant Allen (left). Photo / Jason Dorday

Early this year, chef Peter Gordon asked if I was interested in working with him on his new book Everyday. Peter is an old friend from my restaurant days in Wellington. As chef at the Sugar Club, his innovative food gained immediate attention. The place was a hit.
When the owners of the Sugar Club moved to London, Peter went too. Sugar Club Mark 2 appeared, with Peter serving up his distinctive fusion food. Further fame followed and from there Peter took the big leap and opened his own establishment, The Providores. Last year he opened his second restaurant in London, Kopapa.
Peter has an international life. He consults globally, writes books and food columns, develops products under his own name and still has time to fundraise for various charities. His New Zealand efforts support the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation of New Zealand, leukaemia.org.nz.
He's back here every three months keeping an eye on his New Zealand operations, dine by Peter Gordon and Bellota at SkyCity, consulting for Air New Zealand, fulfilling various commercial and media commitments and keeping touch with his family and friends.
His punishing schedule would have most on their knees, but Peter remains upbeat, enthusiastic and in the moment. How he does this, I don't know.
The 100-plus photos required to create Everyday were to be shot in 10 days, and within a limited budget.


With Peter available for only the first three days of the shoot, all action shots, portrait shots and potential cover shots were first priority.
He set the style, leaving photographer Manja Wachsmuth and me to work on until completion, aiming to capture his intent.
Sometimes the most simple shots become the hardest - the light changes, the planned prop isn't quite right, the food refuses to "sit" how you want it.
Manja is a perfectionist, constantly checking the minutiae of each shot on her laptop.
Is that herb sprig perky enough? Is there the slightest smear on the plate? Is the food the absolute "hero" of the shot?


For 10 intense days we worked to make the book, shopping late at night for the next day's cooking, beaming in on a daily email basis with Peter to approve photos and feeding back on how the recipes worked.
There was a big sigh of relief when all the photos had been taken.
For me it was over. For Peter and Manja the job went on - writing introductions, choosing which shots were best, reshooting some dishes as they crossed paths in London.
Back at the publishing company, designers and editors pulled the book together until finally it went off to the printer.
Months later, with bated breath, we got to hold the finished book in our hands. I heaved another big sigh - it looked absolutely wonderful.

Peter Gordon - Everyday - Harper Collins - $49.99



THREE RECIPES FROM EVERYDAY TO TEMPT YOU