Cooking with a MasterChef

An interactive cooking series with Brett McGregor

We have teamed up with NZ’s original MasterChef winner, Brett McGregor to take you on a tour of your taste buds. Each episode will take you through the featured recipes step-by-step so you can easily re-create them at home.

Whether you're a novice cook or know your way around the kitchen, there is something to inspire everyone to get cooking in this series.


Episode 20:

A Trip Around the Mediterranean

Filmed live in front of an audience at Summerset at Karaka, Brett takes us step-by-step through three Mediterranean-inspired recipes designed for one or two people to enjoy which are fresh, scrumptious and easy to recreate.

Recipes — click to view and download:

Spanish Style Chicken with Crisp Garlic
Greek Fish Kebabs
Pasta Puttanesca


Episode 19:

Magic of the Air Fryer – Take Two

Filmed live in front of an audience at Summerset Cambridge. Brett McGregor, like many others, has fallen in love with his Air Fryer and once again takes on the challenge of creating dishes using it. He will take us step-by-step through delicious recipes designed for one or two people to enjoy which are simple to recreate.


Episode 18:

Residents' Autumnal Favourites

Filmed live in front of an audience at Summerset Pohutukawa Place. Brett McGregor asked our residents to submit their favourite Autumnal Recipes and he has taken on the challenge to recreate these. He will take us step-by-step through four delicious seasonal dishes using residents’ very own favourite autumn recipes.

Recipes — click to view and download:

Rhubarb and Apple Crumble
Savoury Scones
Spaghetti Bolognaise
Chicken Cashew Crockpot


Episode 17:

Sweet and Savoury recipes with Pic’s Peanut Butter

Filmed in front of a live audience at Summerset Richmond Ranges. Brett demonstrates three delicious sweet and savoury dishes all using Nelson’s legendary Pic’s Peanut Butter.

Recipes — click to view and download:

Peanut Satay Sauce and Dip
Peanut Crunch Biscuits
Peanut Butter Tofu Ramen



Episode 16:

Christmas Canapés

Brett prepares three unique and tasty dishes which are great for entertaining over the Christmas holidays.



Episode 15:

Celebrating Spring

Filmed in front of a live audience at Summerset down the Lane in Hamilton. This episode is all about celebrating spring, with dishes showcasing all things fresh and seasonal.

Recipes — click to view and download:

Asparagus Risotto
Pea and Leek Crostini
Spiced Rhubarb with Vanilla Ice Cream




Episode 14:

Ways With Eggs

In this episode, Brett takes on a true pantry staple, showing us some of his favourite ways to cook eggs. You'll see a baked egg meal that's so easy to make yet full of flavour, double-cooked eggs with tomatoes and bacon and a frittatine with mushrooms and pancetta.




Episode 13:

Winter Warmers

Filmed in front of a live audience at our Papamoa village, Brett prepares some unique dishes to warm the soul during the winter months — a delicious Moroccan chicken tagine and seared sumac lamb.

Recipes — click to view and download:

Seared Lamb with Parmesan Crisp
Moroccan Chicken Tagine
Herbed Couscous




Episode 12:

Magic of the Air fryer

After much talk about this handy gadget in our 'Chat with the Chef' sessions Brett finally gave into peer pressure and bought an air fryer (much to his family’s delight!). He’s now in love with it, as many of us are, and in this episode he whips up some delicious dishes including crispy cauliflower bites and the ultimate chicken shawarma!



Episode 11:

Autumnal Favourites

Filmed in front of a live audience at our Whangarei village, Summerset Mount Denby. Brett cooks up three delicious seasonal meals that make the most of what Aotearoa has to offer at this time of year.

Click the video to watch the episode, and find the recipes below if you'd like to try them yourself.

Recipes — click to view and download:

Cauliflower & Parsnip Puree
Seafood Linguini
Feijoa and Apple Crumble Slice




Episode 10:

Kiwi BBQ with a twist

In the hopes of a late summer, Brett gets out the BBQ and puts a unique twist to some lamb and chicken dishes, and even a dessert.

Click the video to watch this Kiwiana-BBQ special, it's definitely one you'll want to recreate at home.

Recipes — click to view and download:

Marinated BBQ chicken
BBQ stone fruit with mascarpone & honey
Seared BBQ lamb




Episode 9:

Christmas Special

Easy, delicious and fresh Christmas fare — Brett makes miso glazed salmon, herb salad, green beans with hazelnuts, and for dessert, a wonderful financier with cream and berries.

Click the video to watch the episode, and find the recipes below if you'd like to try them yourself.



Episode 8:

Residents' Favourites

Brett has adapted four delicious recipes sent in by Summerset residents in this episode which was filmed in front of a live audience at our Hobsonville village. Click to view or download the recipes:
Bacon & Blue Cheese Meatballs
Nana's Sausages
Quesadilla Stack
Prize Pikelets


Episode 7:

Comfort Food from Around the World

Brett shows us how to make three delicious and comforting recipes, including favourites from his own family kitchen, as well as overseas. Click to view or download the recipes:
— Eggs Rancheros
— Kao Soi (Thai Soup)
— Tracey's Fish Pie

Episode 6:

Ways With Pumpkin

Brett takes on the humble yet extremely versatile pumpkin! With three meals and an amazing range of flavours, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Click to view or download the recipes:
— Pumpkin & Black Rice Salad
— Pumpkin & Red Curry Soup
— Miso Roast Pumpkin Noodle Bowl

Episode 5:

The Mystery Box

We asked Summerset residents what items they last threw out, half-used, from their fridges — and put these to Brett to turn into something great, so you'll never be short of ideas on how to use them up again! Click to view or download the recipes:
Cheese Fondue Bake
Greek Yoghurt Alfredo
Italian Pasta Sauce Dressing
Bloody Mary

Episode 4:

A Taste of Thailand

Take your taste buds on a culinary adventure! Brett shows us some delicious Thai dishes, including how to make your own green curry paste from scratch. Click to view or download the recipes:
Thai Green Curry Paste
Thai Green Curry
Chicken with Chilli & Basil
Garlic & Pepper Chicken

Episode 3:

Pantry Staples

Out of the can, super simple suppers — delicious, easy to prepare meals that make the most of those tins lying around in the pantry! Click to view or download the recipes:
— Tinned Lentil Curry
— Sausage & Bean Casserole
— Quickfire Tomato & Garlic Pasta

Episode 2:

One Pan Wonders

Delicious, easy to prepare meals that won't create a stack of washing up! Brett shows us how to make a chicken & bacon traybake, salmon with pesto & veg, and an easy South Indian fish curry. Click to view or download the recipes:
— Chicken & bacon traybake
— Salmon with pesto & veg
— South Indian fish curry

Episode 1:

Mince, from Italy to Mexico

Our first episode features the humble ingredient, mince — exploring how the use of different spices can take you on a journey from Italy to Mexico! Click to view or download the recipes:
— Italian Mince – Meatball Parmigiana
— Mexican Mince
— Pickled Red Onion
— Guacamole
— Pico de Gallo