HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - PATRICK LEE-LO
Patrick Lee-Lo
Publishing/Marketing & Advertising
Samoan & Chinese
I am involved in Media - Book publishing, marketing Digital Signs and Billboard advertising. I was born, raised and educated in Wellington. I am mainly of Samoan and Chinese heritage with a few other nationalities in the mix.
You're the Marketing & Business Development Manager for 'Whats Cooking' do you cook yourself and what is your favourite Pacific Island dish?
Yes. I love to cook Italian food but because of what I do, involved in the foodie industry I get to try lots of different eateries and dishes. Obviously, I have my favourites. My favourite PI dish is Oka - Samoan Raw fish done in Coconut Cream with fresh Taro.
What was your journey to get to this position and what were some of the struggles you had to go through?
I have enjoyed a varied business career in different industries - Electrical, Business Equipment, Retirement Villages, Facilities Services and now Media. I grew up in an era where was not as 'fashionable' to be a PI as it is now, so that often made it a challenge. When I worked in the Facilities Services industry it was predominately cleaning services. It is an industry that employs many PIs'.
I held various GM roles with different companies and eventually became President of the Building Services Industry Association (FS Trade Association). I doubt if there will ever be another PI President of that Industry, certainly I do not believe so in my lifetime. During my tenure as President both the Association and I became subject of a smear campaign culminating in me being in the book - 'Dirty Politics' by investigative journalist Nicky Hager. Nicky revealed who was behind that campaign. They were interesting times.
What got you into putting together Cookbooks?
A chance meeting with the head of a Dunedin based media company - Christian Kasper. It was an 'Uber' cool meeting. We became friends and I did some casual work for him and eventually I became their "Whats Cooking" Auckland man.
What is your favourite recipe, and can you share it with us?
"Oka Patricio" - Patrick's Samoan Raw Fish
500g of FRESH Snapper
Juice of lemons enough to cover the fish
200 mls of coconut cream
100 mls of coconut milk
2 large spring onions finely chopped
8 finely chopped sweet cherry tomatoes
1 green capsicum chopped
Tabasco, salt & pepper
Method:
Marinate the chopped fish in the lemon juice overnight in the fridge.
Drain the lemon juice
Add coconut cream and milk
Mix in the spring onions, capsicum and tomatoes
Tabasco and salt & pepper to taste with a dash of soya sauce (my Chinese heritage kicking in here)
Garnish with coriander - optional and serve with hot freshly boiled or baked Taro - a good warm contrast to the cool raw fish.
The secret of preparing raw fish is not to overcook it!
What is your favourite cookbook and why?
It was" Cooking4Change" but our latest retail cookbook - "Delicious Dunedin" is very special - its content, style, format and design are very 'Uber' cool. I wish I could lay claim to being part of its design and format, but my colleagues Christian Kasper, Kelly Lindsay and Ben Tan brought it home. I am simply the lone Samoan in the book.
In terms of our business cookbooks - "What's Cooking Auckland Businesses..." is my favourite because it is very much MY book. A 'blood, sweat and tears' book in terms of the paradigms I had to break to get this across the line.
How has your upbringing + culture shaped you into the man you are today?
I think being the eldest of 4 children and losing my dad at 9 years of age put me in a situation where I had to support my mother who had to go to work. I had no choice - my job was to care for my siblings, cook, clean and do most of the household chores that children of that age today would never contemplate or accept. It was as they say, 'character building stuff'. As a Pacific Islander you respect your elders, do what is asked of you without complaint or rebellion. It gave me leadership skills and helped me deal with responsibility. The downside was I think I lost my childhood. I became the 'man of the house' but I was just a boy and I think my brothers and sisters viewed me as "the boss" rather than their older brother. That makes me sad.
Who are your biggest inspirations and why?
My mother. Google - "Elizabeth Alice Lee-Lo" and you will see why.
My brothers and sisters for supporting and putting up with me through those tough years growing up.
Last and not least - my beautiful daughters Amy and Sophie. Both different but both high achievers in their work and life. I am very proud of them both.
