The Plating Game: Anna Burns-Francis

We asked one of our favourite Kiwi celebrities to share her food loves so we could create a dish especially for her.

What kind of food did you eat growing up? 
Probably what you’d call ‘whole foods’ these days – there were a lot of vegetables, home baking, even homemade takeaways (my mum could never quite trick me with fish and homemade ‘chips’ though)!

Can you share a favourite childhood food memory? 
Making pancakes with my dad on weekends. I used to help with ingredients until I could read, and one day I told him to add sugar – he replied, ‘there’s no sugar!’ – there was, but it was the last ingredient, listed on its own on the next column. Needless to say, we never bothered adding it, I always overcompensated with maple syrup anyway.

Are there any old family recipes that you still cook/eat today?
I’ve always called it ‘pumpkin in a pumpkin’ – I think the actual name is ‘creamy stuffed pumpkin’ – a regular winter favourite made by my mum. It’s delicious… gruyere, cream, wine, orange, pepper, celery and a few other bits all cooked down and poured into a scooped-out pumpkin and baked.

What’s your go-to dish when time is limited? 
Hot, toasted, crusty sourdough with a thick slice of chilled, super-salty butter and some Ortiz anchovies laid over the top – an upgrade from the bowl of frozen peas I would have resorted to at university.

Talk us through a day in the food life of Anna Burns-Francis.
First coffee at 4am, second at 6am, third at about 7:30am… I know, that’s a lot. Breakfast is a bit boring these days – banana and a muesli bar, things I can eat in pieces without ruining my lipstick. Lunch could be anything – I might swing past a cafe and grab a sandwich, but at the moment it’s crackers and taramasalata (I’m aware this isn’t a proper meal!). Dinner is hopefully courtesy of my partner Simon who used to be a chef, or if I’m left to my own devices I just chop up lots of salad ingredients and throw them into a bowl with some hummus, tzatziki and either salmon, an egg or some chicken. 

What’s a restaurant or cafe you were excited to visit on your return to New Zealand?
Cotto is hands down our most favourite restaurant in New Zealand – exceptionally good food, every time. Being back in New Zealand I’m also really looking forward to fresh seafood… scallops, crays, fresh fish… yum!

Do you enjoy cooking? What would your signature dish be? 
I would describe myself as an optimistic cook... I like the idea, I just lack the enthusiasm to follow through. Once a year I’ll whip up a big hummingbird cake. And I can do a pretty good poached egg which is very useful in my one-size-fits-all approach. 

Do you like to entertain? If so, what would your ideal gathering look like – how many guests would you have and what would be on the menu? 
We’re hoping to start a weekly dinner club now we’re back in New Zealand and have four-ish people round mid-week for an easy, no fuss meal. Some good pasta, a table of friends and a decent drop of red – an Amarone maybe, after drinking plenty of it in Italy.

Tell us about some of the cuisines or flavours you find yourself going back to regularly. 
After living in New York – which is a very American-Italian cuisine – we’re really into pasta, pizza, delicious Italian food (maybe less of the American, although a Smashburger after a night out is also delicious). I love herby salads; I love the clean, fresh, bright flavours of Japanese food; I love the rich warmth of eggplants and tomatoes and leeks in winter.

Tell us about a memorable meal of your life. What was special about it? 
Le French Diner, the night we got engaged. It’s a firm no-bookings, tiny little eight-seater restaurant on the lower East Side. We sat at the bar, right over the grill, and feasted on octopus, oeuf mayo, steak and delicious wine (and of course, great company!).  

What’s your go-to drink (either alcoholic or not)? 
Friday afternoons are for margaritas (but I find Suze and tonic is a nice refreshing alternative in summer).

What are some of your favourite restaurants (anywhere in the world)? 
Misi in Williamsburg; AMA Raw Bar West Village; Hill & Szrok in London; and for anyone visiting Singapore, grab some carrot cake from a (real) local hawker. 

Do you have a sweet tooth – or what is your guilty food pleasure?
I used to think sweet food was definitely my downfall but I reckon my palette has changed a lot and I’m a sucker for anything carb-heavy, rich and delicious. Usually combined with cheese… 

What would be your last meal? 
Something comforting and rich, full of flavour. Risotto? Scotch fillet? There are too many things to choose from. But ‘pumpkin in a pumpkin’ would have to be on there – even if only as a side dish.

Click here to find the recipe Claire made for Anna.