Culinary Discovery

Cooking is so much more than just a recipe and skill. Being a Chef will never just be another job. It is a lifestyle, an endless journey in the pursuit of perfection. The continuous mission of giving joy to others, by cooking food that creates memories and fuels excitement. From forest to kitchen, land, sea and shore to plate, the culinary world is all but an oyster.

Growing up in South Africa, means that you are never far away from the wilderness, ocean or the vast expanse of nature’s home to wildlife.

As a young boy, I was always keen to gather wild foods, whether through diving for abalone and crayfish, to fishing and indeed hunting for antelope. The main objective of these pursuits was never for recreation, but for sourcing food, and each hunt and dive conducted in a responsible, sustainable manner. Many years later, whilst settling in our new adopted country, I was introduced to wild garlic. This was something I have never seen before, nor aware of its existence and culinary value.

Some 24 years later, and every year in between since, towards the end of winter, my senses awake. My nose tingles with excitement for the leafy “green gold” to make its appearance, providing so much fun, enjoyment and culinary inspiration. And the benefits of this amazing ingredient do not end there; most importantly, wild garlic is free for everyone, it grows in sustainable abundance, has wonderful health benefits, is amazingly versatile and due to being instantly recognisable, one of the easiest wild foods to gather.

In the weeks that follow, I always look forward in preparing wild garlic, whether preserving or using in cooking, it will always provide one with exciting times. Keep an eye on my Chef’s Blog and follow me on my social media platforms for up-to-date content and inspiration.