Cracking easy cooking

A Kiwi foodie mum who turned her seasonings market stall into a national brand comes to Blenheim this September, along with her new cookbook Seasoned.

Pepper & Me founder Cherie Metcalfe’s third cookbook specifically focuses on easy, delicious weeknight meals with over 90 meal options she says have come from her own experiences and top recommendations from Pepper & Me Club members.

With her Seasoned book tour coming to Wairau Pharmacy on September 18, Cherie says it’s a collection of “greatest hits”.

“My first two cookbooks were more elevated and special sharing food, while these recipes are the last 10 years of Pepper & Me’s weeknight roster staples in households of our customers, inspired by fans. These are the recipes we make at home, the ones people rave about, the ones that work even when you don’t want to because you’re knackered and hangry and down to your last onion.”

While Cherie says she loves sharing and swapping recipes, speaking with people about their passion for food is the most rewarding part.

And whether it’s for business or pleasure, she’s eager to return to relatively familiar territory for the Marlborough leg of the tour. “I’ve visited Marlborough a few times to both catch up with our stockists at Wairau Pharmacy, Cranky Pantry, New World and Fresh Choice, and for my own adventures.

“It has a lovely foodie culture, along with such good wine and lots of cool little stores.

“Fishing in the Sounds and eating fresh catches cooked on the back of the boat is such a big food memory for me. We want to take the stress out of cooking, put the joy back in and ignite a love for food and cooking in people across Aotearoa. I hope these rock-solid standouts will inspire and give you confidence in the kitchen.”

Seasoned is on sale September 1, from selected bookstores and pepperandme.co.nz.

Email [email protected] and tell which dishes you use on repeat during weekdays and be into a win a copy of Seasoned, plus a Pepper & Me pack worth $120.