I’m Evo – short for Evotia. I’m a New Zealand-born Samoan and started in hospo straight out of high school. I did a bit of office work, then joined Ovation – and I’ve loved it here. On Warriors game days, I run the bars in the Stacey Jones Lounge. It’s full-on – but our setup team’s solid and we all know what to do.

I’ve always been in the kitchen. I started out baking with Mum – Louise slice from the old Edmonds Cookbook, like everyone in the ’80s. I spend so much time cooking, that my son went and became a chef too. I’m pretty proud of that. At home, he jumps in the kitchen ’cause he knows we’re all tired. He’s a good boy, I’m very lucky.

At home, I make the fish curry – proper South Indian style – but my husband’s the biryani expert. We take turns in the kitchen. At Northbridge, it’s the same spirit – everyone helps each other. If you’re not sure, you ask. The residents are very lovely. I like chatting to them while I’m making their lunch – you get to know their stories, little by little.

I was always the picky one. If Mum made curry and I didn’t feel like it, I’d go cook my own French toast – and plate it up all fancy, even when I was eight. Now I’m Exec Chef at Mt Smart, and the best part is seeing our team connect with the food. They see something they grew up with, just done a little differently, and they light up – that’s when you know you’ve got it right.