There are two distinct parts to Marlborough - the flat plains of the Wairau Valley where world-class wines and olives are grown, and the gorgeous Marlborough sounds which I truly adore.

There are huge salmon and mussel farms here, industries that have only really taken off in the past two decades, but they produce fantastic products.

Seafood

World renowned cinematographer Michael Seresin, who has just finished shooting Harry Potter 3, also owns his eponymous vineyard. He has a small, wooden batch, which was once a boatshed in the sounds at Waterfall Bay where I have often cooked for his friends and visiting wine lovers from around the world. You just can't go past the local products here, especially the New Zealand salmon. I love hot smoked salmon, which is produced by smoking whole fillets at a very high heat. When freshly done it is delicious flaked into a salad served simply with some coriander, basil, a little chilli and watercress. The large native green shell mussels are exquisite and I like to serve them in huge bowls, steamed in their shells with a splash of local sauvignon blanc and olive oil, some fresh tomatoes and basil.

Olive oil

Oils for sampling at The Olive Shop, a natural extension to wine tasting!
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Destinations

Blenheim is Marlborough's main city and the most dynamic place to stay here is the boutique Hotel d'Urville which is in one of the area's oldest buildings. The hotel is absolutely beautiful, with really world-class accommodation and dining. Every room has a different but gorgeous interior. The hotel also runs a Cook's Discovery cooking school featuring guest chefs and some weekend courses, all using the best of Marlborough's abundant produce.