When Josh Emett was 28 and broke in London, Gordon Ramsay dropped £30,000 into his bank account so he could buy his first flat. You might know Josh as the MasterChef NZ judge, or as the chef behind Auckland's Onslow and Gilt Brasserie and Waiheke's Oyster Inn, but host Sarah Wood takes him back further, to a 350-acre sheep and beef farm in the Waikato. Josh talks about climbing the walnut tree by the farm gate, frying himself four eggs for breakfast since age seven, and the run of homes, London, New Jersey, Melbourne, Queenstown, that followed before he and wife Helen settled into the Auckland home that now features a bespoke kitchen they have designed.
Highlights
• A 350-acre sheep and beef farm outside Ngāhinapōuri, bordered by the Waipa River, where Josh spent his childhood roaming, shooting, eeling and swimming, sometimes even through winter.
• The colossal walnut tree by the farm gate that he'd climb into and eat straight from, still his standout memory of that first home.
• Baking from necessity: with the nearest supermarket 20 minutes away and the local dairy long closed, Josh loved to bake to satisfy his sweet tooth.
• One of his early jobs was on the Waipa Delta boat, peeling potatoes on the back of the boat. His Mum would wave to him from their home overlooking over the river.
• At 28 living in London, Gordon Ramsay lent him £30,000 for a flat deposit.
• Buying his current Auckland home from its owner Mark, a deal settled over a shared bottle of champagne after the two of them couldn't agree on a price.
• A full kitchen renovation six or seven years ago, fitted out with Sub-Zero Wolf appliances, the reason Josh says they'll never bring themselves to sell.
Timestamps
[01:21] Growing up on the family farm at Ngāhinapōuri, near Mount Pirongia
[02:55] The walnut tree by the farm gate, and the rickety old share-milker's house
[03:24] Roaming 350 acres, the Waipa River, and farm chores after school
[06:33] How the farm still shows up in his cooking today
[09:58] Baking from a young age, out of necessity
[15:02] First jobs: the Wilson Carlisle rest home and the Waipa Delta riverboat
[22:51] Buying the current Auckland home, and the Gordon Ramsay loan behind his first London flat
[27:42] Advice to his younger self on that first flat, and the Lotto dream, Palm Springs or a castle in France
Guest bio
Josh Emett is one of New Zealand's most accomplished chefs, with a career spanning over two decades in some of the world's most awarded kitchens. Before returning home to build a portfolio of acclaimed restaurants, Emett earned multiple Michelin stars during his years working alongside Gordon Ramsay in London, New York and Los Angeles. He currently owns and operates Onslow and Gilt Brasserie in Auckland city and the iconic Oyster Inn on Waiheke Island.
Host bio
Sarah Wood is the Chief Executive Officer of realestate.co.nz, New Zealand's longest-standing property website, which has been helping people find their perfect property since 1996 (even before Google). Since taking the helm in 2019, she has led the organisation through a period of innovation and growth, helping position it as one of New Zealand's leading technology businesses.
Links
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