A chef’s guide to plant-based protein
Plant-based protein has never been more popular, but with so many choices—from lentils and tofu to meat-free burgers and cultivated meat—knowing what’s genuinely healthy can be confusing. As both a chef and clinical nutritionist, I believe the best plant proteins don’t just provide protein. They also deliver fibre, vitamins, minerals and protective plant compounds that […]
Tropical breakfast quinoa
A colourful bowl packed with complete plant protein Life has been wonderfully busy lately. Between moving house, work commitments and officially getting married, it’s been some time since I’ve shared a new recipe. One of the greatest rewards of our new home has been discovering a garden overflowing with tropical fruit. Walking outside to pick […]
Pavlova
This classic pavlova recipe delivers everything a proper Australian pavlova should: a crisp meringue shell, a soft marshmallow centre, clouds of whipped cream and fresh seasonal berries. A timeless gluten-free dessert, perfect for spring-summer entertaining, Christmas celebrations, Easter and long lunches. Crisp on the outside, soft and marshmallowy in the middle, piled high with softly […]
Red emperor with beetroot, orange & dill
Red emperor is one of those beautifully simple Australian fish that needs very little fuss. In this red emperor recipe, crisp-skinned fillets are paired with earthy roasted beetroot, silky beetroot purée and a bright orange and lemon dressing. Capers and fresh dill bring everything into balance. It is colourful, fresh and full of flavour — […]
The Grace Darling
The Grace Darling Hotel in Collingwood is one of Melbourne’s most iconic heritage pubs. In 1990, at just 24 years of age, I became the licensee of this historic bluestone hotel—the birthplace of the Collingwood Football Club. Together with my late father Dennis Gowing and later my brother Chris, we transformed the Grace Darling into […]
Death of a legendary salesman
My father, Dennis Gowing, became known to generations of Australians as Kevin Dennis — the flamboyant car salesman, restaurateur, businessman, art collector, racehorse owner and larger-than-life character. To me, he was my dad. From Dennis Gowing to Kevin Dennis In 1960, my dad went into partnership with Kevin Heffernan, who operated a second-hand car lot […]
Chicken Vindaloo | Goan-inspired curry
With an abundance of curry leaves waving at us from the garden, a pair of matching head colds and a desire for warming, restorative home cooking, Normie and I decided it was time to whip up a remedial curry. Two trips to India this year have well and truly ignited my inquisitive mind. I find […]
The truth about rice: brown, white, basmati & parboiled explained
Rice gets a bad rap. Carbs. Blood sugar. White versus brown. Basmati versus jasmine. Parboiled — whatever does that mean? Rice has been feeding humans for thousands of years, yet it has somehow become one of the most misunderstood foods on the plate. I first wrote about rice back in 2004. Twenty-two years on, we […]
