Simon Holst's top tips

Quick Meals, By Simon Holst , Hyndman Publishing, $12.99.

Having grown up in a foodie household, Simon Holst has inherited a passion for food and cooking. Although it wasn't until varsity he thought of making a career of it. Simon, Dame Alison Holst's son, talks to Colleen Thorpe about the secrets to easy cooking

TELL US THREE TOP TIPS FOR BUSY COOKS

Keeping your pantry stocked with basics always makes life much easier.Planning meals at least a day ahead removes uncertainty. It's no fun cooking under pressure. Try to avoid leaving it until the last minute.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP SIX PANTRY STAPLES?

Canned tomatoes, Pasta, Rice, Onions, Coconut cream, Tomato paste

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE EASY WEEKDAY MEAL?

I like curries - so many variations on a theme.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE MORE TIME WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO COOK?

Making bread is particularly satisfying. For something with ingredients as simple as flour, yeast, water and salt there are so many options - but it does take time.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PLAN THE WEEK'S MEALS?

Sitting down at the start of the week and making a plan is good, but don't panic if you find you have to improvise or tweak along the way. Being too rigid can be counterproductive.

DO YOU TAKE A LIST TO THE SUPERMARKET OR ARE YOU A RANDOM SHOPPER?

I have a foot in both camps. From a budgeting point of view it is definitely good to go with a list, but it's also fun to be able to improvise if inspiration strikes along the way.

YOU COULDN'T HELP BUT INHERIT A PASSION FOR FOOD AND COOKING WITH YOUR MUM BEING ALISON HOLST. DID YOU EVER THINK YOU WOULD DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN COOK FOR A CAREER?

I had no idea I was going to wind up working with food. I originally thought I'd like to be an architect or engineer, then I discovered biology. It took me a couple of degrees to realise that I had more than a passing interest in food.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING YOU LEARNED TO COOK?

I have a remarkably clear memory of Mum teaching me how to make sausagemeat patties in onion gravy - I was probably about 7 at the time and I think I could still make it from memory!

WHO COOKS AT HOME?

My wife and I both like to cook. Now she's back working full-time and I work from home I can usually get to the kitchen first.

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE THE RECIPES FOR THIS BOOK?

These are the sort of things I like to cook during the week. I've tried hard to make sure they're easy yet interesting.

WHAT CELEBRITY WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO INVITE TO DINNER AND WHICH CELEBRITY WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO COOK A MEAL FOR YOU?

I'm sure John Kirwan would be a really interesting guest - and I think he's interested in food. I'd love to go to one of Jamie Oliver's restaurants, or Gordon Ramsay's, or Heston Blumenthal's ... that would be something different.

I could go on all day as there's so many really talented chefs out there - in New Zealand and overseas.

DO YOU HAVE A GUILTY PLEASURE?

I do rather like wine.

WHAT DID YOUR SCHOOL REPORT SAY?

"Could try harder" is a reasonable summary. It took me until varsity to really switch on to learning.

IF YOU WERE ON MASTERMIND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR SPECIALIST SUBJECT?

Biology.