EL SIZZLING CHORIZO - CORRADINO ANSELMI Most of you know El Sizzling Chorizo, and the delicious aroma of roasted meat sneaking into the Lane at Ponsonby Central. But what do we know about the cheerful guy behind it? Corradino Anselmi is a country boy, a real life gaucho from a big cattle farm in Argentina. He left the countryside to train and work as a chef in Buenos Aires, and it was whilst cooking at the NZ Embassy that he befriended the NZ Ambassador. Corra’s ambition was always to travel and his friend convinced him that he should go to New Zealand first. Despite not speaking a word of English, Corra took his advice and worked his way around the world within the international kitchens of Auckland. From Peter Gordon’s Dine, to Indian, to wok and tepanyaki Japanese kitchens, he soon realised that he didn’t need or want to go anywhere else. He had fallen in love with New Zealand. Then came a move to Waiheke, where Corra bought a boat, taught himself to sail, and got into a real kiwi lifestyle: fishing, diving and living off the land. Corra decided it was time to go back to his Gaucho roots and make true Argentine food; barbecued meat and spicy sausage. He built himself a food truck from recycled bits, made his own sausage which he sold to local restaurants and at the markets, and he was away. Clearing vines from the vineyards in return for firewood, making his own bio-diesel to run the truck, making and selling what he could, trading for what he didn’t have; it was a very simple, sustainable life. Till one day he got a call from Andy Davies. Andy had heard about Corra, his famous chorizo and amazing functions and he wanted him in Ponsonby Central.
LOVE. & MR LEWIS - STEPHANIE MORELLI Introducing Stephanie Morelli of LOVE. & Mr Lewis flowers, the latest addition to Ponsonby Central’s market area. You will find her in the heart of the produce market, behind a mass of exotically dyed banksia, willow and quirky succulents. Stephanie lives and breathes flowers, you could say she’s obsessed! She came back from Melbourne a year ago to pursue a dream job at Vida Flores in Newmarket, training under renowned florist Davina Prankerd. “I was thrilled to be a part of the Vida family and its incredible floral talent, I learnt so much and worked on some amazing floral installations.” Steph blossomed under Davina and, when the Ponsonby Central site came up, leapt at the opportunity to go it alone with her own business. “There are long days, late nights and very early mornings, but the happiness that flowers bring me and others makes the bags under my eyes well worth it!” With her own distinct floral style, Steph flits around her stall like a dancer, picking this, trying that as she puts together a unique bouquet. “I am drawn to the dramatic bloom, and I love finding the weird and wonderful to create something really personal for each customer.” Steph trained as a classical ballet dancer, and after dance came an obsession with flowers, and Frida Kahlo. She discovered the Mexican artist as a teenager and has had a fascination with her ever since. “It’s the creepy, dark depressive, juxtaposed with the exquisitely beautiful that is my fascination with Frida. She has influenced every thing I do.” That explains the scarlet roses, the black banksias and the eclectic assortment of cacti. Steph’s first business was making Kahlo-esque hair pieces and fascinators, and LOVE. & Mr Lewis has always been the sobriquet under which she markets her creative endeavours. Inspired by a romance novelette spotted in a second hand bookstore long ago, Mr Lewis represents the illusive romantic figure from the days of old-school chivalry and honour. A time gone by, when love was communicated by a grand gesture rather than a text. After all, flowers are about romance, whether it’s to breathe life into your home or into your relationship. Flowers can also make any event, dinner party, or space sparkle, their scent leaves a memory. Come and see Steph, she will make something truly memorable for you. E. loveandmrlewis@gmail.com M: 021 067 5764
Corra said yes to Andy, but with no capital behind him, set about building a restaurant in his usual manner: by trading and bartering, and doing it himself. He swapped his own labour for materials and the occasional tradesman. Most of the materials that make up El Sizzling are recycled from the refit of the main building; outdoor table tops are leftover floor boards, the table legs are ducting pipes. photography: Stacey Simpkin
It is simple fare, barbecued meat with salad and chimichurri (herb sauce), but it seems to be a winning formula. From day one El Sizzling Chorizo has had a loyal following. Between running the restaurant, Corra is fishing, sailing and fencing his property on Waiheke. The next project is building his own Gaucho-style mud brick dwelling for himself, his partner Celeste and baby Tane. Or perhaps another El Sizzling somewhere? E: info@elsizzlingchorizo.co.nz T: 09 378 0119 The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
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