Feijoa Fiesta

Exciting and Exotic Recipes

Marlborough Feijoas Yes it is that time of year again. Feijoas lying on the ground at all the local bays, at the mercy of roaming wekas and possums. Unless I can get there first. This lot were from Pam's at Ohingaroa and they include some of the biggest feijoas I have ever seen! Big Feijoas He...

REAP Cooking Classes

Culinary Adventures

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'...

Marlborough Sounds Culinary Workshops

Culinary Adventures

After the successful round of workshops in 2018, we are running some more this year. These 2-hour workshops focus on a theme, or some ingredients or techniques. They are hands-on and you get to take home the things you make, plus eat at the workshop. hummus and dips workshop plating up On March...

Middle Eastern Dinner Class

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...

Green Fig Dilemma

Exciting and Exotic Recipes

One of the things I fell in love with at our new home in the Marlborough Sounds, was the huge fig tree at the end of the deck. By the end of summer it was completely covered in masses and masses of figs. I had dreams about all the things I was going to do with kilos of ripe, luscious figs come aut...

From the Streets of Asia to the Louisiana Bayou

Culinary Adventures

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...

The Mystery and Intrigue of Persian Cuisine

Culinary Adventures

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...

The Underground Pear

Exciting and Exotic Recipes

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...

Winter Spice Class

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...

Korean Fireflies

Culinary Adventures

Finding the real Korea When travelling in a foreign country you probably want to experience the real thing, get a feeling for the local people and their life, what they really eat and how they live, how they entertain themselves, how they interact. But more often than not, as a visitor to the coun...

Salmon, Soba and Spice

Exciting and Exotic Recipes

Kiwi, Korean and Japanese influences all paid a part in the creating of this dish. I had been on a bit of a Korean gochuchang binge anyway, loving its umami bite. And I wanted some soba. I had a bit of a hankering for my time spent living in Japan- truth be told. And with steaming hot days, cold s...

Monkeying with Food

Exciting and Exotic Recipes

The year of the Monkey has just begun in the lunar calendar. Often called Chinese New Year, it is also celebrated by other Asian countries to various degrees. I have been lucky enough to have been living in China and Korea at different times, and have celebrated this amazing holiday in both cultures...

Jenny Garing

Founder of Lyttelton's Ground Culinary Centre and Ground Gourmet Essentials

Jenny Garing

Founder of Lyttelton's Ground Culinary Centre and Ground Gourmet Essentials

Blog posts:

Feijoa Fiesta

REAP Cooking Classes

Marlborough Sounds Culinary Workshops

Middle Eastern Dinner Class

Green Fig Dilemma

From the Streets of Asia to the Louisiana Bayou

The Mystery and Intrigue of Persian Cuisine

The Underground Pear

Winter Spice Class

Korean Fireflies

Salmon, Soba and Spice

Monkeying with Food