Behind the scenes

SARAH TENNANT FOOD WRITER

Sarah Tennant says her mum is responsible for her culinary expertise. “She hated cooking. Every time I asked if I could make dessert, she said: ‘Yes, if you cook dinner too.’” Sarah created the luscious pumpkin-based sweet recipes for this issue (page 126). Te Awamutubased Sarah also works as a journalist, writing mostly about parenting – she is expecting her fourth child in July.

Why pumpkin? I was born in the US, so I picked up the whole pumpkin pie thing. Then I started using it in other baking. What else are you baking? I’ve been making soft, fluffy Japanese Hokkaido bread – it makes great raisin buns. Lessons learned? I make a lot of ice cream. I did try making candied bacon ice cream, but I don’t think I’ll do that again.

VICTORIA CLARK FREELANCE WRITER

Nelson-based Victoria Clark writes about Detlef and Marek Baum’s new coastal home on page 20, but having just come through breast cancer treatment, the writing that’s closest to her heart is her blog, justmakemesoup.com.

Was working during treatment hard? Interviewing people was a good distraction. I did a NZ House and Garden interview when I was completely bald and sweltering in a hat. The interviewees were so kind – they told me to take off my hat, assured me I rocked the ninja look and plied me with glasses of water.

What do you like about the Baums’ place? It’s a beautiful, clean design in a superb location. A lovely friendship has developed from doing this story – Detlef and Marek even visited me in hospital.