Whats all about...

 

These days, it’s easy to feel disconnected from where our food actually comes from. With big food systems facing all kinds of issues and grocery prices climbing, more people are starting to think about self-reliance and getting back to basics. The pandemic really highlighted how fragile our food supply can be — and that’s what sparked the idea behind Cultivate and Cook.

 

I'm here to provide you with the essential tools and knowledge, using sustainable and organic gardening techniques, to craft tailored strategies for establishing a food-producing system that suits your specific needs, whether it's in your garden, on your balcony, or within a farm setting. I draw inspiration from Permaculture's ethics and principles, ensuring a comprehensive and sustainable garden design.

"Creating gardens and landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fibre and energy for provision of local needs.” Bill Mollison and David Holmgren founder of Permaculture.

As a seasoned Chef with years of experience and a profound passion for creating fresh and seasonal dishes, I'm enthusiastic about guiding you in using your homegrown produce to its fullest potential. Together, we'll explore the art of cooking and crafting delightful dishes that harmonize seamlessly with the ingredients you cultivate. Additionally, I offer personalized classes on preserving and fermenting, helping you extract the most value from your food. Join me on this journey to a more sustainable and fulfilling way of living, where the connection between your garden and your table becomes truly harmonious.

I find it quite sad to see that many people don't know basic cooking methods and rather buy ready-to-eat meals or order food online. These products are good for a cheat-day or a lazy Friday night dinner (I do this occasionally too), however, the proper nourishment and consequently health of your body takes a toll. It is proven that the nutrient density in fresh organic ingredients is much higher and therefore your body can absorb more of the nutrients that it needs to keep you healthy! In Germany we say: "Du bist was Du isst." which means "You are what you eat". So, why taking shortcuts with our nutrition and taking a chance with our health? Better take time to plan, prep and cook meals that keep you sustained and properly nourished throughout the week.

Additionally, there is such a beautiful kitchen-romance when cooking and preparing good food! From using your grown produce (or bought one if you haven't grown much just yet), then preparing it, cooking it until the presentation on the plate and serving it to yourself, your family or Dinner-party friends, it is an amazing and wholesome journey. I also believe that cooking has a meditative effect, the concentration of the task we do helps to practice to be in the moment and forget the huzzle and buzzle of modern life!

 

 

Moreover, I find it compelling how gardening brings a multitude of health advantages. This physically engaging pastime promotes exercise, enhancing strength and flexibility. Embracing the outdoors, filled with fresh air and sunlight, bolsters mental well-being by reducing stress and anxiety. Cultivating your own produce further inspires a diet brimming with fresh, organic, and nourishing foods, ultimately fostering overall well-being and comprehensive self-sufficiency.