Healthy nosh on the run

Michael Van de Elzen is on a mission. The New Zealand chef has set out to convince Kiwis that fast food can be healthier and tastier.

Through his television show The Food Truck, Van de Elzen pitted himself against the clock and the tastebuds creating, cooking and selling popular Kiwi takeaways.

Just published is The Food Truck Cookbook, with recipes from his TV programme covering all the "meals on the run" that New Zealanders love, from burgers and pies to chicken pieces, pizzas and smoothies.

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MEMORY OF FOOD?

Mum putting the raising bread in the bed next to me as a kid to help it ferment (a Dutch family tradition).

WHO WAS THE MAJOR INFLUENCE IN YOUR LOVE OF COOKING?

All the chefs I worked with in the UK.

WHO, IN THE COOKING WORLD, DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?

Probably the likes of Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver for the sheer hard work they put into everything they do.

DO YOU THINK KIWIS ARE LEARNING THE HEALTHY FOOD MESSAGE?

They are listening to it but I think the learning is going to take a lot longer to sink in.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET INGREDIENT?

Chilli, Kaitaia. Fire.

WHAT IS IN YOUR FRIDGE AT THE MOMENT?

My wife has just been to the market so there are loads of fresh vegetables.

WHAT ENCOURAGING MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNGSTERS WANTING TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF COOKING?

Don't do it. No, just be prepared to put in the hard yards.

IF YOU WERE MINISTER OF FOOD WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FIRST RULING?

I would bring in a stamp system. Food would have to have a coloured stamp on it, red for stop, green for go, orange for moderation. I would make it much clearer for people to understand just what is in products.

WHAT THREE NEW ZEALAND FOODS ARE TOP OF YOUR LIST?

Fish, I just adore snapper. Mushrooms. And coffee ... is that a food?

WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST FAN?

My daughter Hazel.

TELL US THREE THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW OR MAY BE SURPRISED TO LEARN.

You will find me in the forest mountainbiking on a Saturday morning. I iron my underwear and socks - my wife thinks I am a freak. I love chilli.