Cooking Up Organics Much-loved chef and TV personality Andy Allen started his organic journey after joining the Three Blue Ducks restaurant chain as co-owner and Head Chef of the Rosebery location in 2016. Andy met Three Blue Ducks founders and co-owners Chef Mark Labrooy and Chef Darren Robertson during his whirlwind time on MasterChef season four, where the apprentice electrician went from underdog to claiming the title of MasterChef champion at the end of the season. Since joining the Three Blue Ducks, Andy has worked with the team to open several new locations including a ‘farm-to-fork’ style restaurant in Byron Bay, where the restaurant sources produce straight from the adjoining farm. “We are very lucky with our Byron venue. We have 6 acres of organic farmland where we work closely with the farmers. We can reach out and touch the produce. “During a farm tour we tasted coriander that had come straight out of the ground and the flavour of it blew our minds! It was a lightbulb moment. You don’t have to do anything to this product, just put it on a plate and people will be amazed.” Tasting the difference in organic food at the Three Blue Ducks was one of the driving forces behind Andy’s decision to become Australian Organic Awareness Month Ambassador. Andy then started the transition of organics into his home, swapping conventional for organic where possible. 8
WITH CHEF ANDY ALLEN BY HARRIET KENDRICK
“With the Three Blue Ducks, we have always had that hat on - we have always tried to buy organic where we can.” One key message that Andy wants to bring to this September’s campaign is that organics can be found in almost every category, but shoppers should be aware of looking for a certification mark on their organic purchases. “I have adopted organics in my home life more than ever. It got me thinking about how organics is not just food and things you consume. It can be about every part of your life. “The other thing is looking for the Certified Organic symbol on anything I am trying to swap in. That’s another learning curve, in knowing you have to look for that sign, so you are sure you are buying the real deal. When you are looking to sub things in, make sure what you sub in is legitimate.” Andy is also aware of the positive environmental benefits that come with converting to organic, where produce is farmed using more sustainable and regenerative methods. “I am not that far down the rabbit hole, but I think I’m just more aware of what I am putting into and onto my body and how I can help the environment when I’m doing that too.”
AUSTRALIAN ORGANIC AWARENESS MONTH AUSTRALIAN ORGANIC CONNECT
