Hilary Harper and Paul West at the Wheeler Centre

Paul West – ‘Australia’s Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’ – is a homegrown champion in more ways than one. 

The former Vue De Monde chef, and host of River Cottage Australia, is a sustainable food advocate – and he wants to show you that you can grow and cook your own food, wherever you are, however much space you have. 

For West, growing, cooking and sharing food with your loved ones is a powerful act. ‘It’s personal, local action that empowers us when global problems can leave you feeling powerless.’

The chef, who trained in hatted restaurants, now offers practical advice on everything from building a ‘no dig’ garden, bee-keeping and knife-skills, to simple and delicious recipes for common veggies that you’ve grown yourself, and even throwing a backyard harvest festival. It’s all in his new book, The Edible Garden Cookbook & Growing Guide.

In this event, West speaks with Hilary Harper about how growing and eating locally has an impact well beyond our backyard.

As the long-running and trusted ‘Brain Food’ columnist for Fairfax, Richard Cornish tackles food and cooking questions from readers around Australia.

He responds to practical queries (‘How much is an American ‘stick of butter’?), experimental queries (‘Can I make mayonnaise using the juice from a jar of pickled cucumbers?), scientific queries (‘What is the difference between taste and flavour?’) and even paranormal queries (‘My grandmother claimed she could "hear" when her cakes were ready. Is there any science in this?’).

Richard’s blend of humour and warmth and his broad knowledge of culinary culture are reflected not just in his ‘Brain Food’ columns, but in his journalism and recipe books. He is the author of My Year Without Meat, about his experiment in vegetarianism, and he’s the co-author of several recipe books, with chefs Frank Camorra and Phillippa Grogan.

At Montalto, Richard discusses his book, a collection of his ‘Brain Food’ columns, and his career writing about food and culinary culture. Hosted by Lindy Burns.