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Retreats

Delicious. Inspiring. Empowering. Relaxing. Joyful. Nourishing. These words are from the ladies who took part in my first cooking retreat. Group pasta rolling. How to poach an egg. Overnight lamb. Labne. Cured salmon. Salads galore. Plus a few sweet treats. All with a green grass backdrop in a luxurious setting. Close to town. But a million miles from any cares. It is always an honor to share my learning and passion for food and to connect and unwind, through the simple act of making meals together.

The next retreat will be held in Autumn. Please get in touch to register your interest below.

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Food

  • Cocktail
  • Banquet
  • Elegantly Plated
  • Paella
  • Weddings
  • Cakes

Instagram

This time last week. An event to remember. Jesus j This time last week. An event to remember. Jesus juice cocktails from @dark_mofo Tequila shots with pineapple, lime, coriander and chilli verdita chasers from @chinchin Marinated skirt steak with Chinese olive salsa @seanmoran64 barbecued prawns marinated in everything chilli oil @hettymckinnon crispy lamb crepes with plum and tamarind jam, kingfish ceviche with green nam jim, twice cooked pork hocks with a fresh hot and sour salad, sweet potatoes with chilli jam and goats cheese and burnt caramel ice cream with lime syrup and honey comb all from @chinchin Tasted as bright as the flowers looked @havenandsarah
Getting to know these bad boys before I take them Getting to know these bad boys before I take them on the trip of a lifetime to the Larapinta, a wild, rocky trail in the heart of Australia. Walking all day, immersed in nature, sleeping under the stars. With books and a journal for company. 
Would love to hear from anyone who’s done it and any blister tips too!!

#larapinta #treck #trail #salomon
Our cooking retreats are equal parts good food and Our cooking retreats are equal parts good food and great company. Half relaxation and nourishment, half learning and fun. 

Next one October 21-23rd and will be held at @theshedgerroa only 8 spots available. DM for more details

#cooking #cookingretreat #retreat #weekendaway #fun #food #learning
Pat is six. As of this morning at 11.15am I no lon Pat is six. As of this morning at 11.15am I no longer have a five year old. Colourful. Loud. Argumentative. Always has an answer. Usually one that’s hard to counter. Loves dogs. Loves a chat. Loves hot chips and marshmallows. Animals and snuggly toys at bedtime. Adores his sister. And water. Is equal parts frustration and inspiration. And makes me want to scream, but always makes me smile. A smile of sunbeams. And a love so huge it makes me crumple if I think about it too long. Happy birthday my boy. To the moon and back. For infinity and beyond. 

#patfinch
Last week we had a winter solstice ceremony. A fir Last week we had a winter solstice ceremony. A fire. On the beach. With waves crashing in the background. And lightening illuminating the ink sky. We sat. We shared. We listened. We laughed. We nodded. We squeezed each others hands. We loved and held space. 
I shared something that scared me to the core. Something that I wasn’t able to share a few weeks earlier at a circle for a friend’s birthday. I find writing words down so much easier than speaking them aloud. My brain is more calm and my heart less loud with a pen in my hand. So I wrote a story about what I was afraid to share, intended to be this month’s newsletter. But fear got the better of me, and I wrote a different version. So sharing my original uncensored piece with those women on the beach seemed fitting. And safe. I was blow away by their reception. And then I tossed that sheet of paper in the fire. Watched it turn orange and then to smoke, set free among the stars. 
After we drank this pumpkin tom yum, my version of an embrace for your soul in a mug. And had a naked dip in the ocean. 
Recipe and story are both up on the blog~ www.herbsandalemon.com 

#soup #tomyum #storiesofinstagram
Let’s talk about this dish. Pork hocks. Deep fri Let’s talk about this dish. Pork hocks. Deep fried until crisp. Then braised in master stock for five hours. Shredded. Pressed into a tray. Weighted. Sliced. Deep fried again. And served with chilli vinegar, sweet fish sauce and hot and sour dressing. Cucumber, snow peas, beansprouts and lots and lots of herbs. It’s a perfect mouthful. 

#chinchin #dinnerparty #porkhock #slowcooking #delicious
The next month will be devoted to party preparatio The next month will be devoted to party preparations as Pat turns six and Thea nine. I look forward to it as much (read probably more) than them 🤣 Right now making bath bombs for party favours. Kids, don’t eat these, they aren’t lollies!!

#party #kidsbirthdays #birthday #bathbombs
Cooking Therapy was therapy on many levels. Clare’s commitment to detail is exceptional. From high quality produce to a menu that is well thought out. Offering as many learning points and new cooking experiences as possible while always keeping it grounded. All food offerings were things that any home cook could achieve with the right instruction. Clare ensured there were as many hands on involvement and instruction opportunities with the meals across the weekend as well and plenty of time to relax and rest and enjoy the beautiful space and company.  The weekend is rich with food conversation and the sharing of experiences and knowledge across the group. The beautiful booklet of recipes has been used many times in my kitchen since. I found Cooking Therapy reinvigorated my desire to cook beautiful food and try new things…for which my family is very grateful.  If you are in need of inspiration then Cooking Therapy will do it. Go with an open mind an open heart and an empty stomach. 
Jess Cooking Therapy 
Feb 2022
Friday was the end of me. The biggest night I’ve Friday was the end of me. The biggest night I’ve had in months. A dinner party I’ve been waiting to cook for three years. At home. For Mark’s company. The vibe was part @chinchin with a dash of @dark_mofo Think cocktails, charcoal, chilli. Bright, bold and big, flavours. Crunch and sass. And excess. It was good to let loose. But now back to running and moderation for a while! 

Thank you to @ellehallcreative for capturing us while we were still well behaved.

#dinnerparty #weekend #fun #food

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