At home with John and Joanne Navarra

John and Joanne Navarra are the husband and wife team behind Navarra Venues (including local Le Montage). Here they chat to Ciao about how they balance work and their relationship, and even let us in on their plans for Valentine’s Day...

What is your favourite dish to cook and share?
Simple beautiful refreshing salads such as lamb Thai salad, vegetarian salads and tuna salads. John, when you really want to impress

Joanne, what do you cook?
I start with a nice glass of red and add candles to set the mood! Joanne is a very simple eater, but to impress her I’d cook a nice plate of gluten free pasta al dente with homemade tomato sauce, topped with fresh basil, bay leaves and Italian cheese. No garlic or onions allowed! Then finish dinner with a rich decadent chocolate dessert together with a vintage port!

If you could invite anyone over to dinner, whom would you invite? Why?
George Clooney – just so we could offer him a Nespresso! No kidding…He’d have a wealth of knowledge to talk about over a beautiful dinner.

How will you be spending Valentine’s Day?

We love the water so perhaps with a picnic basket overlooking the bay.

What’s the secret to maintaining a successful business and relationship?
At work, it’s business, and at home, it’s the relationship. Try not to mix the two. Be as understanding as possible, compromise and listen to each other at all times, learn to have fun!

■ NM