This years Herb and Chilli demonstration Kitchen
The annual Wandin Herb and Chilli Festival is fast approaching, and I am excited to participate for the third year. This year’s demonstration will focus on The Herb Wheel and Saucery, offering simple and flavorful ways to enhance meals using herbs and chilli. The goal is to inspire home cooks by showcasing key herb pairings, taste profiles, and practical tips for preparing fresh, healthy sauces inspired by global cuisines.
The Herb Wheel is a visual guide that helps cooks understand how herbs complement different flavors and cuisines. I will highlight key pairings, such as basil with tomatoes for Italian dishes, dill with fish and yogurt-based sauces, and coriander with spicy cuisines like Jamaican, Japanese and Mexican. Tastings will allow attendees to experience these combinations firsthand. This tool encourages creativity by making flavour pairings more accessible and easier to experiment with.
Herb garden starter kits will be available to purchase at the festival this year which will help you get inspired and start your own home garden. A great Hobbie for the kids also.
In the Saucery segment, I will demonstrate a variety of healthy, easy-to-make sauces that can be prepared fresh, stored in the fridge, and used immediately or later. These sauces are highly adaptable, allowing cooks to “Make Your Own” (MYO).
Understanding some basics, will allow flexibility to create unique sauces that cater to their personal tastes. Recipe variations in flavour will also be discussed, as I prepare some of these sauces live. I will also explain methods for balancing spice and herb intensity to suit different needs. Along with preparing accompaniment dishes that will showcase the taste profile of the sauces.