Shane Cortese
The Tauranga-raised actor enjoyed the same ham, pineapple, sausage and mushroom pizza several times a week for years courtesy of the family-run pizzeria. But nowadays, the star of Three’s Westside is more likely to cook a delicious meal on his favourite charcoal barbecue.
What’s been the funniest or worst food-related incident of your acting career? It was one of my first days at Outrageous Fortune and we were having a big family dinner at the West house. We were all there – Cheryl, Wolf, Van, Munter, Falani, Loretta, Pascal and Hayden. Something didn’t go quite to plan and two characters, who shall remain nameless, got angry with each other and prop food flew during a take. I thought, “What?! Is this normal?” It wasn’t, and we broke for a real lunch to cool down. What do you do to relax away from work? I love to cook on my Kamado Joe barbecue in the outdoor kitchen we built last year. I have a bar outside and I love it when my friends prop it up with a couple of cold ones while we cook.
Is healthy eating a priority for you? It should be, but I’m not a huge practiser of it. My wife, Nerida, runs that tight ship and we – she, I and sons Kees and Jett – eat pretty well.
How would you describe your diet and lifestyle? We have a busy life surrounded by good friends. We do everything in moderation, including the odd burger and beer night.
Do you follow a special diet? I don’t. But the boys do. Kees is gluten-free, although we’re introducing a few gluten-containing foods into his diet now he’s older. Jett has a nut allergy, but he’s pretty good at making sure his food doesn’t contain nuts. He’s also a chocolate fiend.
What did you have for breakfast this morning? Nerida made porridge with manuka honey.
What about lunch? My Sotheby’s bosses took me for yum cha at Alexandra Park during a
break at an auction competition.
What’s your favourite evening meal? Kamado Joe-cooked lamb with Al Brown’s mint mayonnaise.
What snacks do you eat? Peanut butter and celery, or Eta Kettles salt and vinegar chips.
What ingredient can you not live without? Good olive oil, bought by the litre
and used liberally.
Westside premieres at 8.30pm on Monday, July
10, on Three.