Quotes from Monica Galetti

I loved 'The Dukes Of Hazzard,' but I don't think you could redo that. They did a movie of that but it was a bit rubbish.

I'm a big seafood fan.

Not a brussel sprouts fan? Try them shredded and fried in a pan with bacon - no one can say 'no' to them then.

I'm quite partial to cheese and biscuits with some nice ripe green grapes on the side.

I didn't like Christchurch when I visited a long time ago. I had been camping on the outskirts of some gorgeous little towns throughout the South Island. But when I arrived in Christchurch, I just didn't like it nor find it to be very friendly.

Stay calm and be quick on fixing a problem, stopping a problem head on is vital to running a team.

When I walked into the kitchen for the first time, I knew I was going to do that for ever. I was studying my diploma in hospitality, and I just fell in love with it. It was like being a magician.

The funny story was that I actually quite fancied David's best friend Jerome first, and then Jerome let me down easy that he was gay. He's now one of my best friends and I married David.

Mum had a form of blood cancer. She suffered for a long time.

A perfect holiday for me is somewhere warm with a beach because I love swimming in the ocean, while my husband and daughter prefer splashing around in a pool. Great produce is also essential, somewhere offering good, simple food. It doesn't have to be gastronomic.

If you love being a chef then give it all you've got!

I just love it when the chefs start to gain in confidence and it gets really exciting.

I love dark chocolate.

When the earthquake hit Christchurch in 2011, the factory that produces Marmite was closed for two years. The supermarket shelves were empty and people were selling jars for hundreds of dollars on eBay. It was absolute meltdown; we called it 'Marmageddon.'

My first ambition was to be a brain surgeon.

I never planned to go on television, it was just by chance.

There have been moments when comments have been made and because I'm strong enough to speak up about it, it's helped me. Having the strength and confidence to speak up about racism is what matters. Some people don't realise that what they are saying is wrong - they think it's acceptable.

I absolutely love sweet potatoes baked in their skins.

The most precious item I have is my wedding dress.

The world of fine dining can be frightening, if it's not what you grew up in. I think when the doors are just thrown open, and you're given the confidence to step into that world without any barriers at all, and you're made to feel very welcome in it, that you belong, then it's no longer as frightening.

I know people who will look at the label on some ham, and if it's a day over they'll throw the whole packet out instead of opening it up and tasting and smelling it.

I do love peanut butter and jam on Ryvita. It's a tasty snack.

Mum worked in telecommunications and Dad was a mechanic.

I loved the Fonz as a kid. He just clicked his fingers and the girls would go wild.