February marks the start of Indian Ink Patron Party season. This year’s theme was Pani Puri (dangerously addictive crunchy Indian street snacks), making it a Patron Pani Puri Party – a mouthful on every level.

Unfortunately, my flight to Auckland for party number one was cancelled thanks to Wellington’s usual winds going from gale force to biblical. However, as the Bible says: “Thou show-est must go on-uth!”

(I’m paraphrasing).

I hired a car and set off. Google Maps and I entered into a deeply unstable relationship, gently re-routing me every ten minutes as roads closed all around. At one point I found myself near New Plymouth, daylight fading, sustained only by adrenaline and the occasional service station pie. I rolled into Auckland at midnight after my 11 hour road trip – crumb-covered but victorious.

The next day, GM/Sous-chef Jude and I, along with our heroic office team, interns, and Next Genners, cooked and served dinner for 40 patrons in the beautiful home of our intrepid hosts Andrew and Jenny Smith. There was pani puri galore, a fiercely contested balloon dog competition, and the usual exchange of stories, secrets, and improbable future plans.

Then it was back down to Wellington, where Jas Singh and Bryce Keith opened their gorgeous villa to us. Mercifully, they insisted on cooking and produced an extraordinary Indian banquet from their portable tandoor oven – every home should have one!

These evenings remind me that Indian Ink isn’t just built in rehearsal rooms or on stages, but in living rooms, kitchens, and conversations. Thank you to all our patrons for your generosity, your curiosity, and for taking the path less travelled, wherever Google Maps decides to send us next – I’m looking at you, Christchurch!