Culinary cents

The origin story of Destitute Gourmet fits so naturally into the dregs of 2020, it feels only right that creator Sophie Gray is returning with a new cookbook this January. “It seems like grand design that this book is coming out after what will have been one of the toughest Christmases for many, many households,” she says.

Sophie, 54, feels completely comfortable with being somewhat of a poster child for how to get through meagre times. “It’s my journey,” she laughs. “I am New Zealand’s object lesson in trying to navigate your way through a tough financial time. I just feel…” she pauses. “Whenever I feel like I’ve just got myself into a reasonable position financially, the rug gets pulled out from under my feet and I’m like, ‘Oh. Here I am again.’

“It has made me wonder if this