'I am dragged around shops all the time - I hate them all in equal measures' MY PLACE.

Byline: Karen Wilson

GUNTHER Seebacher runs the Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Newcastle in Jesmond. Originally from the Black Forest in Germany, Gunther, 54, came to Newcastle in 1975.

Before that he worked in hotels in France, Germany and Switzerland.

A keen cook, he wants to bring the cuisine of his homeland to the North East and is currently compiling a German cookery book.

Where do you live? Semi detached suburbia (Gosforth).

How long have you lived there? Over 10 years What's your dream home? I hate to say this but the German HUF Haus concept is wunderbar. The house is affordable but I need the land to build on. It's ready made in the "fatherland" and comes over on 20 lorries. The Germans even bring a bratwurst stand and build the thing in a week.

How do you get around? Car, bike and tandem - we have got a seat for the dog on the bike - no kidding! What is your favourite part of the North East? It's got to be Kielder Forest. It reminds me a bit of Titisee (I expect all readers to know where that is!) What is your favourite building in the region? Well the new city library designed by Ryder is stunning and The Sage Gateshead which I always show off to visitors.

What is the best holiday you've ever had? We love Palm Springs and the Californian Desert. We also like Fort Lauderdale.

What's the favourite thing in your home? I'm not really into material things (my wife is the opposite) but I suppose it's got to be my photo collection (15,000 on the last count)..

If you could have one luxury what would it be? A decent Audi estate car, so we can take the dog to the Black Forest.

What are you working on at the moment? Promoting the Mansion House is top on the agenda at the moment but I am also working on a cookery book with a difference - typical Black Forest dishes. Regional German cuisine from south west Germany is excellent but people here are ignorant about it. I would be able to put this right. I need a publisher urgently! Who or what is the love of your life? This is easy to answer - I only really care about three people. My wife, my dog and my son - in that order! Where is your favourite place in the North East? I came to Newcastle in the mid 70s - a depressing place at the time and a culinary desert. But I really love Newcastle now - nummer eins fur Mich! What is your favourite shop? I am dragged around shops all the time - I hate them all in equal measures.

What is your favourite restaurant? I had lunch with my German mate Heinz Dennhofer at Terry Laybourne's place (21). Very canny it was! Favourite pub? Not really a big beer drinker hence I don't do pubs. However the County on Gosforth High street seems a pleasant place to be early on Friday tea time.

Favourite meal? That's dead easy. I love a decent schnitzel and kartoffel salad but if I feel a bit low I have my special chicken noodle soup with loads of vegetables and matzo balls - it's out of this world.

Are you any good at cooking? Do you spend much time in your kitchen? I am brilliant but have lost some of my finer cooking skills over the years. I cook every day. My wife Lorette does not know where the kitchen is in our house! I also cook for a few private clients at their homes when I have time.

What's the last play or film you saw? The last movie we saw was Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Righteous Kill. We love cinema - particularly good thrillers.

What book are you reading at the moment? I am reading a German novel at the moment which I got from a car boot sale. It's a novel by the Austrian writer Johannes Mario Simmel who passed away early this year and the book is called Der Stoff, aus dem die Trume sind. Written and set in the late 60s/early 70s, it's a cracking read on holiday. I am also reading (again) the Nixon Interviews by David Frost from 1978 - "I gave them a sword" - riveting stuff.

What are you listening to on your iPod/CD player? I've got tons of music on it, but I mainly listen to jazz and classical.

Mozart's piano concertos are my favourite. Astrid Gilberto is superb.

What's your favourite TV programme? 24 and CSI Miami and most programmes to do with cookery.

What are you proudest of? I am very proud of my very small family.

Do you have any wisdom to share? If practice makes perfect but nobody is perfect, why practice? When and where were you happiest? I am reasonably happy most of the time. Since Lorette and I both work long hours and spend several days apart, we are happy when we meet - it's quite exciting actually!

CAPTION(S):

DREAM The Huf Haus concept comes from Germany. STUNNING Newcastle's new seven-floor pounds 40.2m City Library.