From Miso to Marmalade: The Fridge Staples That Prove Themselves Time and Again
We live in a small apartment with a very small kitchen, so I run a tight ship. Anything that earns space in there has to punch above its weight. Products have to prove themselves. If they don’t earn their keep, they’re out.
Real Food, Real Kitchen, Real People
Last weekend I gathered a handful of friends at someone’s house and we cooked together. Not a dinner party where one person does the work and everyone else arrives with a bottle. Not a formal class in a commercial kitchen. Just a group of curious eaters in a real home kitchen, sleeves rolled up.
Maximum Impact Minimum Effort (because future you is hungry)
A tray of roasted sweet potatoes. A container of caramelised onions. A snaplock bag of cooked rice waiting patiently in the freezer. It’s not militant meal prep; it’s just cooking with a little foresight.
Love is in the Air
Dishes to Impress, Seduce, and Spoil Your Boo. When I was single, I absolutely employed cooking in my dating arsenal. Food was my love language and, frankly, my best flirting strategy.
Finding Small Joys in Ordinary Days
Just existing in the world can be a lot of work these days, navigating the news and daily pressures. Take every chance to find the small joyful moments in life.
Me, Myself, and a Good Meal
Eating solo means eating however you like and that includes licking the plate. Dining alone isn’t always a delight, but it can be.
Nose to Tail Eats, Wall to Wall Heat
A St John-inspired birthday feast in high summer – what was I thinking?
What does a cheesemonger do in London?
When a cheesemonger visits London, Neal’s Yard Dairy is pretty much up there with the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace as places to visit
Ten Cheeses, Zero Regrets
I could throw some facts and stats at you about why cheese is nutritious, but honestly, why bother. It tastes so darn delicious. There’s something slightly magical about how milk becomes cheese in so many different incarnations and flavours.
From Matcha Fatigue to Main Character Vegetables: My Take on 2025
I’m not averse to sharing my opinion; I know, shocker. Many sites are sharing their 2025 food trend hot take. Most of it is fun, some of it’s genuinely interesting, and occasionally I want to step away from the group chat and make myself a snack.
Stuffed Capsicum, Thought Aloud
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: recipes are templates, not a strict set of instructions.
This past week I was reminded of that as I set out to make a do-ahead vegetable side. Summer is technically here, and I wanted the easy nonchalance of a casual Sunday lunch on the terrace.
A Season for Slowing and Sharing
At this time of year, I think of everyone working in retail and hospitality. I was one of them for most of my life. The pressure to go the extra mile is real, especially when you are already stretched thin. This year feels different.
Palate Nudges and a Very Good Eggplant Dish
Our ideas of what is normal to eat begin at home. They stretch and shift as we venture further into the world, gathering influences from friends, cultures, travel, and the happenstance of what we’re offered.
Grounded: Notes From a Hands-On Cook
Some days, the kitchen feels like the only place that makes sense. A space where you actually touch the world instead of scrolling past it. Cooking feels so much better than watching cooking.
What We Pass On: A Story of Omelettes and Cookie Swaps
Traditions don’t enter into the world fully formed. They start as a good idea at the time. You gather a few people, raise a glass to something worth celebrating and somewhere between the food, the laughter and the decision to do it again next month/year/season, a tradition quietly slips into existence.
Saltwater Memories and Seafood Suppers
I never used to cook a lot of seafood at home. I didn’t need to; if I wanted a delicious seafood meal, I’d just visit my parents. It took until I was in my forties to really start cooking seafood at home on a regular basis. Pan-frying the odd fillet of Atlantic salmon doesn’t count.
Joy of the In-Between: Why Apéro Matters
Here’s to apéro hour — not a meal, not an afterthought, but a celebration of the small things done well. A drink that feels earned. A snack that sparks conversation. A reminder that joy often lives in the in-between.
The Spoon Test: Learning to Trust Your Palate
If I had to name one habit that makes the biggest difference in how I cook, it wouldn’t be knife skills, fancy equipment, or even the quality of the ingredients. It would be this: tasting as I go.
From Peas to Philosophy: The Art of the Tweak
There’s a school of thought that treats recipes as sacred texts — immutable, untouchable, to be followed exactly lest your dinner collapse in shame. I am not enrolled at that school. I transferred long ago to the far more chaotic (and frankly more fun) institution of Recipes as Templates.
Katsu, Curry, and Omurice: The Case for Fusion
Somewhere along the way, fusion became a bad word. It used to mean excitement, creativity on a plate, and borders blurred in the best way. When did fusion lose its charm?
Nigella, Delia, and Grease-Stained Pages
I’m revisiting my own well-loved cookbooks — Nigella’s for pure comfort, and Delia Smith’s Complete Cookery Course for nostalgia. There’s also a small-batch recipe for Oatmeal Parkin, the kind of sticky ginger cake that makes rainy days something to look forward to. Put the kettle on, and let’s talk about flour, memory, and finding joy in the bake.
Cabbage: The Humble Powerhouse of the Vegetable World
Unfortunately, cabbage has a reputation problem. Too many people first meet it boiled beyond recognition, limp and overtly sulfurous. But when prepared with a little care, cabbage delivers main character vibes in spades.
A Reluctant Eater’s Guide to Surviving Breakfast
I’ve always struggled with breakfast. Even now, as I sit down to write this, it’s 10:40am and the only reason I’m eating now is because we’re going out for a 1pm lunch. If I skip food until then, I will be very unpleasant to be around.
Dinner in a Hurry: Quick Fixes, Clever Shortcuts, and the Ingredient That Matters Most
From microwaved eggs exploding on the ceiling to lasagne that takes all day and leaves me too tired to eat it… I’ve been rethinking how we cook when we’re in a hurry. Spoiler: flavour doesn’t have to be sacrificed.
Small Touches, Big Impact: Quick Wins for Tired Cooks
Some days cooking feels like a slog and you need a little something extra to make your meal sing. The good news is you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen – or restaurant-grade equipment – to create that sense of “oof, that’s special.”
Fun Frugal Dinners: Retro Recipes Worth Reviving
The weekly grocery shop seems to creep higher every time, yet most of us still want dinners that feel comforting, nourishing, and satisfying. When budgets are tight, the temptation is to think of “cutting back” as a joyless exercise. But there’s another way to approach it.
Three Bottles of Worcestershire and No Noodles? Your Pantry Needs a Reset
If you’ve ever gone looking for one ingredient and instead uncovered culinary archaeology, it might be time to give your pantry a proper spring clean. Here’s how I tackled mine.
When the Market Whispers Spring
Winter’s hanging on with both hands, but the market is starting to tell a different story. Between the beetroot and borlotti, I’m spotting the first shy hints of spring – spears of asparagus, tropical perfume, and produce that whispers of warmer days ahead. Here’s what I’ve been finding (and cooking) while we wait for summer tomatoes to make their grand return.
5 Recipe Green Flags: What I Look for Before I Cook Anything
There’s something magical about a good recipe. It’s more than a list of ingredients and steps. As a food writer and home cook, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what makes a recipe worth coming back to.
Texture Is the Secret Ingredient to Great Taste
When it comes to good food, most of us know when something just hits right. Maybe it’s that crunchy bite of roast potatoes, the silky spoonful of a well-made custard, or the contrast of crisp greens and creamy dressing in a salad. We say ‘it tastes amazing’ but what we’re actually loving is more than just flavour.
Salt Smart, Pepper Wisely: The Home Cook’s Flavour Guide
For many home cooks seasoning is often rushed or left to the last minute. But with just a bit more attention to when and how we add salt and pepper, we can transform simple meals into something much more satisfying.
Spice It Up: A Quick Guide to Buying, Storing and Cooking with Spices
Whether you’re dipping a toe into new spice territory or deep-diving into your pantry’s potential, spices are here to help you cook with more confidence, creativity, and joy.
Prep Now, Thank Yourself Later: Flexible Meal Planning for Busy Weeks
Life’s about to get hectic. A bit of prep now means I’ll be feeding future-me well without the fuss. Read my 7 top tips so you too can be a meal prep girlie.
Pantry Plot Twist: Surprising Recipe Ideas That Flip the Script on Familiar Foods
We all have those ingredients we buy on autopilot. What if those pantry and fridge staples could do more than their usual tricks?
Whether you’re trying to avoid food waste, inject some fun into your meal routine, or just impress yourself with a little creativity, these recipes give common kitchen items a delicious new identity.
Decoding Common Kitchen Terms
I’ve been teaching a friend some basic recipes and it strikes me that very often those in the food and hospitality industries forget that not everyone understands their language. Did you watch The Bear and now you say “Behind!” when in your own kitchen? Do you know why?
Post-Sourdough Era: Why We Love Flatbreads
Australia has entered its flatbread era and honestly, it just makes sense. These unpretentious, wildly versatile breads tick all the boxes.
Autumn Fruits to Fall For
Autumn in Australia is bursting with some of the most flavour-packed, cook-friendly fruits of the year. Let’s take a look at six of the stars of the season—plus a few tips on picking, storing and enjoying them at their peak.
Cheese + Chocolate: An Unexpected Love Story
Let’s talk about a duo that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves: cheese and chocolate. They have loads in common. Both are fermented, shaped by where and how they’re made, and can be rich, velvety, earthy, complex, and bold.
DIY or buy?
Homemade vs. Store-Bought: What’s Worth the Effort? As a devoted foodie, I love cooking, but that doesn’t mean I make everything from scratch. There are some foods I always buy for convenience, while others I prefer to make because they taste better, suit my dietary needs, or help me reduce food waste.
Autumn Brings the Best Cheese Moments
As the crisp autumn air sets in, cheese lovers are rubbing together their hands – not to keep warm but in anticipation of all the cheese they’ll soon be enjoying.
Making a meal for the most important person
Eating solo means eating however I like and that includes licking the plate. I’ve never been one for breakfast in the morning, yet I’ll happily tuck into bacon and eggs at 3 p.m. And let’s be real—who hasn’t eaten cereal for dinner?
Good Enough Meals
Even after years in the food industry, I sometimes lose my mojo. What I have learned is to ditch the judgement—internal or external—and embrace food as something fluid, adaptable, and, above all, satisfying.
Easy Entertaining
After years in hospitality and catering, these are my best tips for helping everything run smooth, whatever the occasion. And most importantly, be present and enjoy yourself. It’s supposed to be fun after all.
Lasagne Love Letter
Generally, I’ll make the bechamel and the ragu ahead of time and assemble the whole thing whilst it’s cold. You choose what suits you. Chunking the workload is more achievable for me most days but if I’m in the mood, I can get it done in a day. Yes, it’s a project but then I never promised otherwise.
Respite
We’ve been travelling for less than two weeks and I feel the need for some breathing space from the festive dining and drinking but also from the continuous forward momentum that travel involves.
Memories of Dinner Parties Past
I peek around the door jamb and pull at tufts of the yellow shag pile carpet. Even now I can smell the stale dust odour of that carpet and hear the chaotic conversation mixed with Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass echo into the hallway.
Cooking From Memory
The octopus legs I purchased were already fully cooked so they just needed some grilling or frying for colour and texture.
Kitchen Creeds
I have many kitchen creeds: recipes are ideas not just a set of instructions; if you’re going to turn the oven on, cook more than just one thing; balance of textures is just as important as balance of flavours; eat something green with every meal; woo the eater with visuals first. You get the idea..
Bangin’ BBQs
I’ll often use my bbq on weeknights when I want to cook something quickly at a high heat without setting off the apartment’s smoke alarm. Yes, I speak from experience.
The Humble Mollusc
My best tips for cooking with mussels, why we should eat more and even a recipe for you to get started.
Mayonnaise lessons
What lessons can we learn from mayonnaise? TLDR – patience and perseverance.
St John Restaurant
So here we are, metres from a legend outside his original restaurant. It’s like seeing Father Christmas himself, albeit in a bright navy pinstripe suit, white shirt, red socks, brown…
Cheese and Booze Matching
A few meal ideas for using blue cheese in your kitchen. I love mild and creamy blue cheese as well as crumbly and sharp blues. I have a weakness for Stilton but also a strong loyalty to local Aussie blues.
How do you blue (cheese)?
A few meal ideas for using blue cheese in your kitchen. I love mild and creamy blue cheese as well as crumbly and sharp blues. I have a weakness for Stilton but also a strong loyalty to local Aussie blues.
Ghosts
I think autumn might be my favourite season. Of course I love spring when the days start to get a little longer and a little warmer. Summer brings even more sun but also those heavy brooding storm days.
The Fun-do that is Fondue
I’ve made cheese fondue a handful of times but I always have a few moments of panic when I wonder if it will come together or not.
Best Kept in the Dark
I think autumn might be my favourite season. Of course I love spring when the days start to get a little longer and a little warmer. Summer brings even more sun but also those heavy brooding storm days.
Serendipity
We began with prosciutto and melon that I declared possibly the most delicious version I’ve ever tasted. Is it something to do with the smaller, darker-fleshed melons? Or just the vacation phenomenon where food seems to taste the best iteration of itself?
The right vessel
You mix all the ingredients together in a bowl with a spoon – no special equipment required – and pop it in the oven to weave its magic.
The humble lemon
Never be dismissive of the humble lemon. Its fragrant oils are only the beginning.
Food as Alchemy
You mix all the ingredients together in a bowl with a spoon, no special equipment required, and pop it in the oven to weave its magic.
At summer’s end
I may not be actively preserving the last of the harvest for the coming winter period but my body senses the change of seasons nonetheless. I crave the deep flavours of well-cooked meats and comforting carb-laden accompaniments.
Cooking with Kids
Often my posts are directly inspired by my guest spots on ABC Radio Melbourne 774 on Sunday mornings with Lisa Leong. As the free-ranging foodie, I’m charged with commenting on anything food related.
Tokyo Part Five
The technology that I’ve really noticed altering how I experience travel is Google Maps and Google Translate. Google Translate has made this Tokyo trip unlike any other.
Tokyo Part Four
If you’re still going from the night before, a konbini will sell you a clean t-shirt, a charge pack for your phone, cosmetics, deodorant, and breakfast supplies such as onigiri, a quintessential egg sando, tea or coffee in all permutations. If you plan to continue the party, you could opt for beer/shochu/whiskey and an armload of fried treats to keep you fuelled.
Tokyo Part Three
I’ve encountered much thoughtful design since we’ve been here, from space-efficient hotel rooms to clever car parking solutions and beautiful glassware that you long to hold in your hand.
Tokyo Part Two
I do have a bit of a wish list when it comes to food I want to eat here: chawanmushi, ramen, lots of raw fishy delights, yakitori till I can’t yakitori no more, mori-soba, pork katsu curry, omurice and so it goes on.
Tokyo Bound
New cities can sometimes feel familiar. Is it the way the streets are laid out? The trees that line these streets? The cafes and bars that spill onto the streets?
On travelling and returning home
As a traveller, I knowingly and actively cultivate my role an outsider. I eavesdrop on conversations in cafes or on public transport.
What Makes a Great Sandwich?
Do you have a favourite sandwich or, conversely, something that should never be seen between two pieces of bread? From my childhood days, I recall my mother enjoying an apricot jam and cheddar cheese sandwich. No judgement here.
Celebrating Birthdays
Birthdays come around once a year and how you choose to celebrate is totally up to you. For my brother, when the use by date on the milk reads June 6th, he knows it’s any day now.
Dawn Train to Copenhagen
Jet trails scar the pale sky above. It’s before dawn and we’re onboard a train making our way towards Copenhagen from Amsterdam. It wasn’t as difficult to get out of bed at 5.30am as I thought I might be. There’s a certain child-like excitement about travelling to a new country.