Australian chef Pete Evans is a busy man. Apart from being co-owner and executive chef of Hugo’s, he has just released a product range in David Jones, has his name associated with a Breville Pizza Maker and is the author of four books. His latest, My Party, shows you how to throw the perfect bash at home.
What was the last book you read?
I just read The Passage by Justin Cronin. I loved that it was a unique and original story. It delivered an amazing twist just as it was getting good, and you had to basically start again, which was quite challenging. He managed to pull it off with a climax that you couldn’t know which way it would end up. And seeing it was the first book in his trilogy and at about 900 pages, I can’t wait for the next two.
Tell us what is great about a book you are reading at the moment and win The AWW Cooking School
If you could be any character in a book who would you be?
I really loved the character of Roland Deschain in Stephen King’s Dark Tower series — he is the “Gunslinger”… It’s basically Lord of the Rings but three times longer. I loved the character of Roland as he is challenged on so many levels, and could give up at any time but keeps on taking them on one at a time and moving ever forward in his quest to fulfil his goals and those of others.
What books can you remember from your childhood?
Dr Seuss was my favourite and I still love the books. I read them to my kids all the time and still get the same excitement from them now as I did as a kid. They really are unique children’s books. I also remember in grade five my teacher read The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien and it was the highlight of my primary school days.
Do you think that books have the power to change people’s lives more than films?
I definitely think books have that power. When I was 19 years old I devoured every book I could get my hands on to do with self-improvement, spirituality, health and fitness, meditation, etc, and these books have helped me shape my life in ways movies haven’t. The one book that really stood out was Anthony Robbins’ Awaken the Giant Within — this is a life-changing book.
If you could take two characters from different books and put them in one book, who would they be and what would they get up to?
I loved the character of Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Henry Miller, the author who wrote about himself in his books. I think it would be a bizarre meeting of two such eccentric people. I actually wouldn’t like to say what they would get up to, but I am sure it would be dynamic.
What’s your favourite word in the English language?
Yes! I love using it and I love when people use it back to me.
If everyone in the world could stop what they were doing for a week and read one book, what would it be?
I think Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts is one of the most engaging books I have ever read. It is a great story which weaves such a broad range of human emotions. I also think Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion must be read with an open mind.
Your say: What do you think of Pete’s choices? Who else would you like to see in the Book Club hot seat?
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