Patricia Karvelas

The broadcaster on political cravings, her vegetarian years and native ingredients.

- Lee Tran Lam

What did you eat when you were growing up?

I grew up in a Greek-Australian family, so I almost exclusively ate Greek food. My favourite food was lamb on the spit, and we would have it for big events like Name Days, Christmas or Easter Sunday. I was also obsessed with pastitsio, the Greek baked-pasta dish with meat and béchamel.

Was your school lunchbox the envy of other students?

I used to trade with my Anglo-Saxon friends who had peanut butter sandwiches. I had feta-and-tomato sandwiches my grandma made and I hated them. The smart kids figured out that feta was amazing before I did, it seems, and would happily trade with me.

Did you always know that you wanted to be a journalist?

In Year 7, I became the junior editor of my high-school newspaper and I was hooked from then on. By senior high school, I was broadcasting at my community radio station. I just loved telling stories.

What are some memorable meals you’ve had abroad?