We find out about a few of Nicky’s favourite things…

What is your favourite way to pass the time?
Riding my horse. I have a big chestnut gelding I keep out near Muriwai beach in west Auckland and riding him has to be one of my favourite things. It can be relaxing, exciting, scary, challenging... but most of all it takes me away from my everyday life and all the usual stuff everyone worries about. I'd almost always rather be riding.

Your favourite food?
I love eating and spend a lot of time reading cookbooks, shopping for food and planning what I'm going to eat next. Picking one food as a favourite is tough because it so much depends on mood. I love going to the spice shops on Sandringham Road in Auckland and then coming home and making curries. And just now I have lots of limes and mint in my garden which work well with Vietnamese-style food. But I suppose my absolute favourite - possibly because it's so difficult to get here - is fresh buffalo mozzarella. I'd like to eat a whole one right now with a little fresh basil and some zesty tomatoes.

The best place to go on holiday?
Any New Zealand beach has to be pretty good. I was just at Whangapoua in the Coromandel and that was amazing. A pod of dolphins kept visiting the beach and putting on a show for us. But outside of this country then I'd say southern Italy. It's dramatic, historic, a little bit crazy and everywhere you go there is something delicious to eat.

Your favourite book?
To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee. I read it when I was a teenager and it was the first book to really affect me and make me think. Recently I re-read it and loved it just as much as I did the first time.

What makes you want to get up in the morning?
The thought of breakfast: strong coffee, poached eggs on toast, a read of the newspaper and then a walk with the dogs before I settle down to work.

The CD you put on when you want to dance?
Finally by Cece Penniston has to be the best dance track ever. Years and years ago I was in a nightclub in London and she appeared and sang it. The dance-floor was packed and the atmosphere amazing. I still like to dance to it around my own living room. Not quite the same but still....

Your favourite time of the day?
Mealtimes! Also I quite like climbing into bed at the end of the day with a good book, a glass of chardonnay and a couple of hours to go before I have to go to sleep.

Who would you love to meet one day? Why?
The best person I ever met was Miep Gies one of the Dutch people who helped shelter Anne Frank (of The Diary of Anne Frank) and her family from the Nazis during the second world war. I went to Amsterdam to interview her when I was working as a journalist in London and she and her husband were two of the most truly good people I've ever come across. Apparently she's still alive, 100 years old and in good health. I can't imagine I'll ever meet anyone better than her so I feel justified in choosing somebody much more shallow. And I'm picking Madonna because she's been such a huge star for so long and I'm kind of fascinated by her.

Your favourite film?
The film of my new book The Italian Wedding... oh hang on it hasn't been made. Be nice if it was though! In the meantime I'd have to say Grease with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John because I've watched it a hundred times and would still happily see it again.

What is the best thing in life?
The very best things? Peace and plenty. And we're lucky to have both here in New Zealand. I only needed to see another fantastic film - Slumdog Millionaire - recently to be reminded how good we've got it.

Nicky Pellegrino’s latest novel, The Italian Wedding is out now and available at all good booksellers.
RRP: $38.99
Published by: Hachette

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