Foraging

I am often referred to as ‘the foraging chef’ but it’s a label that I accept reluctantly. I think there’s too much focus on my foraging as it’s only a small percentage of what I do. People think foraging is something new, but it’s not. It’s an ancient activity that’s been practised by indigenous Australians, among other cultures, for thousands of years. Foraging is a natural thing, it’s a daily part of my life and inherent in everything I do. For me, a journalist who approaches me to ‘do a story on foraging’ is like being asked to ‘do a story on breathing’. Foraging is just making use of those natural things that exist. It’s true nature. Humans cultivating plants — agriculture — is not nature. Wild is nature.