Fatimas

Fatimas has been serving bold, fresh flavour to Aucklanders since 1995 now, with more than 100 recipes, you can bring a little of that magic into your own kitchen. This book is packed with the dishes and techniques that have kept our kitchen humming for 30 years. From slow cuts to zesty salads, from punchy sauces to late-night pitas, each recipe is designed to be approachable, satisfying and full of flavour. These are recipes for any day of the week and for cooks of all skill levels. Each one teaches a technique or flavour combination that reflects Fatima s way of cooking layered, herb-forward, spice-rich, and always grounded in the bold, vibrant ingredients of the Middle East, reimagined here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Whether you re here for the garlic sauce, curious about harissa, or just want to cook food that tastes as good as it looks, Fatima s Cookbook brings the colour, spirit, and soul of our kitchen into yours.

Author Biography

Kirsty Senior co-founded Fatimas in 1995 and has been at the helm ever since. Over the past three decades, she has guided the business through growth, change, and challenge – raising a daughter while navigating everything from new technologies and shifting food trends to evolving systems, regulations, and legislation.

Now our Managing Director, Kirsty remains the backbone of the business. Her meticulous attention to detail and calm, thorough approach has seen us through highs and lows, and we’re certain our success today is a direct result of the standards she’s set. Her keen eye for design shapes every element of our visual branding. Quietly tenacious, deeply committed, and always thinking three steps ahead – Fatimas woudln’t be Fatimas without her.

Kirty’s love for layered, complex flavour resonates throughout the book – she’s our in-house texture enthusiast, responsible for the generous use of seeds, nuts, and grains, and the queen of double (sometimes triple!) sauce layering. We’re confident you’ll enjoy the product of Kirsty’s unwavering eye for detail and drive to get things just right.

Sophie Gilmour grew up around the clatter of kitchens and the hum of good conversation. Since joining Fatimas in 2018, Sophie has brought heart, hustle, and a deep love of flavour to everything she does. She entered with fresh eyes and boundless energy, helping guide it into its next chapter while fiercely protecting the spirit of what made it special.

With a background in law, cooking and front-of-house hospitality, Sophie’s impact has been felt in every corner of Fatima’s – from reimagining systems to fostering culture, and always, always staying true to the food. She believes in flavour that punches above its weight, in spaces that feel like home, and in businesses that nourish everyone involved – from kitchen crew to customer.

In this cookbook, Sophie shares not just recipes, but reflections – on running a values-led hospitality business, on the chefs, cooks and establishments
that have provided her inspiration and on what it means to feed people well in a fast-changing world. Equal parts realist and idealist, Sophie’s voice brings a fresh, thoughtful perspective to the Fatima’s story.