I’ve always been a home preserver. I grew up watching my grandma preserve. Born in Dunedin and raised in Blenheim, Grandma had a fantastic garden and I remember since I was knee high always being in the kitchen with my mum and Auntie Josie, preserving peaches.
Although our family are big preservers, preserving in society as a whole definitely skipped a couple of generations when TV dinners and convenience foods came out in the 60’s, and I appreciate how valuable it is to pass on these skills to others now.
A big advocate of ‘no waste’, I really enjoy showing people how to make the best of what’s available, without any fancy equipment. It’s all about knowing how.
I can show them how to make the best of the $3 clearance buckets from Vege Direct and can turn anything into a sauce, jam or chutney, and can always use an overflow of something… green cabbages, kale and spinach can be turned into relish, red cabbage into kimchi…corn into corn cob jelly.
Passionate about teaching people how to feed their families, I share tips and recipes via Facebook and YouTube to help get them self-sufficient and to find out more about what’s in their food. I also think it’s important to teach children how to preserve, and I will run classes and demonstrations at schools.
If you’re a non-profit community organisation, I can come in and work with you for free, or for a koha, to show you what can be done with surplus garden produce. I just love to share what I know! I’m proud to be a sponsor of this year’s contest and will be at the Gala, ready to talk to anyone and everyone about preserves!
Before moving to Christchurch from Blenheim four years ago, I coordinated the Preserve Contest at the Marlborough A&P show, and after moving here, was quite involved with the Smith Street Community Garden; it was through this connection that I was approached by the Richmond Community Garden to judge at last year’s Preserve competition, and this year, I’m proud to be a sponsor.
If you’re going to be there, you’ll find me next to the contest stand, so come and say hello, try some tasters and find out how easy it is to preserve when you know how!
If you’re going to enter… you’ll be in with a chance to win a preserving class , and whether you’re there or not, you can pick up loads of great ideas via Katherine’s Kitchen entertaining and easy to follow tips and videos. There are really no excuses… if you’re thinking about it, or want to expand your skills, then it’s time to get preserving!
Photo credits: Katherine’s Kitchen & Richmond Community Garden