CURRENT MISSION

Not purchase guitars, save for travel.

ABOUT ME

I'm Adam, I was born in New Zealand and lived in Auckland until the start of 2011 when I moved permanently to London.

I work far too many hours as a chef in the kitchens of a 5 star hotel in the centre of London. Cooking is what I love to do, it's what I'm passionate about, although that doesn't mean I'm not looking forward to a very long couchsurfing holiday at the start of 2013!!

At this stage I'm looking to spend a lot of time in the South of France, Spain, Malta, North Africa and maybe onto the Seychelles or even Mauritius. I intend to use my skills to help me see as many places as possibles and possibly stay for longer and work in the places i love.

I want to learn French, mine is terrible, help!

More about me: I lived in Malaysia for 4 years when I was younger and have been back a few times since I grew up. Along with Malaysia I've visited almost every other country in South East Asia. I have a real passion for the place, the people who are so kind and genuine, and the food. Another thing I picked up from my years living in Asia is a love for chilli and coriander. I can't explain it, I used to dislike both until one morning I woke up craving both!

All in all, I'm the tall skinny guy with bags under his eyes from 15 hour days in the kitchen for weeks on end. I'm what real cooks look like, not the plump loudmouth 'chefs' on TV! I'm a little bit shy at first but you'll get to know me in no time as I've got loads of great stories and adventures I cant wait to share.

I'm very laid back and always keen for a nice drink and willing to give anything a go.

PHILOSOPHY

Anything goes as long as you're happy and passionate about what you're doing.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

A month of couchsurfing and meeting some lovely people throughout the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and France in early 2011.

Interests

I like: classic rock, prog rock, prog metal, post rock, indy, post hardcore, folk, jazz, funk. Play guitar noisily on my Strat, also love a good go on the drums.

I enjoy a good chat about most sports, namely: rugby, cricket, basketball but I've been trying to learn more about football but despite being surrounded by it here in England it still doesn't excite me, sorry!

Passionate about food and cooking, I'd say my style of cooking is modern French although I find the new Scandinavian style of cooking with few/local/wild/foraged ingredients that is becoming more popular in Europe very interesting.

My favourite meat is wild Venison (deer) closely followed by duck but I love fish too, Tuna in particular but this has led me to a moral dilemma: Enjoy tuna and support the decimation of world tuna stocks by foreign fishing fleets, or take a stand but potentially miss out enjoying it when stocks are decimated.

My favourite white wine is Chardonnay (French or New Zealand) and red wine is Shiraz or Syrah (Australian or Californian). Favourite style of beer is Indian Pale Ale. Favourite spirit is Rum.

Reading: at the moment Robin Hobb and Tolstoy.

Modern history, the colonies of Europe, the great explorers.

Love the outdoors, the activities like fishing and snowboarding.

The sea.

• fish
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• red wine
• white wine
• beer
• drinking
• reading
• tv
• traveling
• homebrewing
• jazz
• guitar
• drums
• outdoor activities
• fishing
• snowboarding
• sports
• basketball
• cricket
• soccer
• rugby
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: drama, thrillers, horror anything but bad action films.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Saw the northern lights north of Tromso in Norway.

Teach, Learn, Share

Like most Kiwis, having grown up outdoors I can show you how to shuck a scallop, catch a lobster and catch a fish. I can teach you a few things about brewing beer and mead, and a trick or three in the kitchen. I'm eager to learn everything I can about the cultures, history and people I encounter in Europe.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, Denmark, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Malaysia, New Zealand, United Kingdom