Rouen Rouen The train from Paris to Rouen gave us the first instance of the 2 doppelganger dodue (of a certain age and from New Zealand) getting away with something. We had bought 2nd class tickets so duly found a carriage labelled 2nd class on the platform and boarded. We went down with our s...

Paris Yes we two look similar, but no we are not related. We just happen to have the same body shape, hair, complexion, wear the same types of clothes, and live 5 minutes down the road from each other in the middle of nowhere. Yes we are plump. We love our food and wine. Plump and happy. Yes...

The latest on thisNZlife is an extract from their new exciting book available soon- Eat Yourself Healthy. This extract is from my chapter on spices and the way to encorporate these health bombs into your life.

Ground has a new website!! Check it out to see what wonderful spice blends we are making- watch this space for a new fragrant Sri Lankan blend we have been playing with... Source good quality, fresh whole spices to blend your own Have a browse through all the recipes on the website. Loaded...

Well what a year for everyone. As you can tell, this blog has remained a bit empty since lock down. Partly a time of reflection. Partly a time of major health issues in the family. Partly a time of computer malfunction! But all of them are now sorted. Mostly! Frankie and I fishing for flounder...

Time to rejuvenate, relax and feast! The Portage in the stunning Kenepuru Sounds is joining with Ground to provide a Rejuvenation Retreat in August. This weekend is for the foodies; with gourmet dishes from around the world served at each meal. The weekend also includes a somatics session and a yo...

I am running a series of cooking classes for REAP in Blenheim. The first is on May 25th and is my Regional Italian Class. This is a look at the variety of ingredients and techniques from the different regions in Italy. It includes the amazing Lorenza D'Medici tiramisu. There is no substitute! D'...

Pomegranate and Pistachio Salad I am offering my first Global dinner Class in Mahau Sound. Based on the popular classes in Lyttelton, this is a hands-on class learning about the ingredients, techniques, dishes and cultures of the Middle East. You will be cooking dishes from ancient Persia, delight...

Ground's Global Dinner Classes for this year are underway. Malaysian Street Food Sunday March 12th: Asian Street Food. Experience the delights of Asian Street Food. Quick and easy and packed with flavour. A sample of Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian and Chinese street foods that are firm favourit...

Ground's final Global Dinner Class for 2016 is the Mystery and Intrigue of Persian Cuisine. Come and discover the wonderful ingredients that originated from this historical region. Learn the unusual techniques and dishes that come from this cuisine. Delicious, unusual but easy to cook. And one of...

While staying in the Hinterland of Byron Bay, Australia, I visited 3 different farmers’ markets- heaven. Two of them had this weird looking thing on display at different fruit and vegetable stalls. I assumed it was a kind of potato or yam, but it turns out it is more like a fruit. It is sometimes ca...

The next two cooking class themes have been set. They are in July and September because I am in Australia in June and in the U.S. in August. Sunday July 31st: 3pm start. Winter Spice. Wake up those jaded winter palates with easy dishes that use spices to create something special. Gain an understan...