GRAEME McLennan may divide his life between Hongkong and New Zealand, but his entertaining is always done in the family home in Tauranga, on the east coast of North Island.
The owner of Northeast Trading, an import/export business, Mr McLennan is involved in bringing New Zealand food and wine into the territory. His firm's Mills Reef Hawkes Bay sauvignon blanc won a gold medal at the recent Wines of the Pacific Rim fair.
Mr McLennan prefers to entertain in New Zealand for three reasons: he has access to the freshest regional produce; he lives next door to the Mills Reef winery; and his family is there.
''Tauranga is on the Bay of Plenty,'' he said. ''The area is famous for its fish, vegetables and semi-tropical fruit.'' Mr McLennan's interest in wine has been constant since the age of 10 - ''I remember making rhubarb wine from fruit in the garden'' - but these days, he prefers to leave wine-making to the experts. ''I've no pretensions about being a vintner. I have a better time tasting them.'' Being brought up on a farm, Mr McLennan's family meals consisted of English-style fare. ''We raised sheep, so it would be roast lamb on Sunday, cold lamb on Monday, minced lamb on Tuesday . . .'' he said with a smile. ''Occasionally we'd have chicken as a treat.'' It was when he left home and began cooking for friends that his tastes and culinary skills developed.
''I cook food that I know works. I like to think it's fairly adventurous but I don't believe in doing something different every time people come for dinner.'' He likes simple meals. Barbecues are a family favourite.
''New Zealand meat is very lean, which is the way I like it,'' he said. ''We eat a lot of venison, chicken and fish as well as plenty of salads and vegetables.'' Sunday lunches involve the extended family and friends. With the kitchen leading out to a porch and swimming pool, the McLennans can chat to guests while they cook. Similarly, as the kitchen is part of the living area, indoor meals are equally sociable.
