Taste, Togetherness, and Transformation: My Day at Old Joe’s Kaia
Old Joe’s Kaia. A name my parents spoke of with such fondness, a place that burrowed into my heart long before I ever set foot inside. Each visit to Old Joe’s Kaia and the Seedling Restaurant has crafted an indelible core memory, leaving me cloaked in a warm sense of home and nostalgia.
But this story is not solely about my connection with Old Joe’s Kaia or the wonderful Marian and Paul; it’s about the profound relationship we have with food—the sheer power of it.
Those who know me understand my passion for cooking, eating, sharing, and discussing food. I often find myself asking friends about their dinner experiences, seeking a deeper understanding of them. I love preparing meals for loved ones and ordering shared platters in restaurants, taking pleasure in the joy of food together. For me, food transcends mere sustenance; it embodies connection and love. My experience at the Seedling Restaurant with Marian reaffirmed my passion for food, allowing me to witness its beauty through the eyes of someone who has devoted a significant part of her life to it.
When I first met Marian, I was completely in awe and inspired by her enthusiasm for plant-based cooking and food. She brought life to a plate with colours and flavours that made you feel like you were eating a meal for the first time in your life. Her love for plants and flavours and the connection to the spirit permeates through every bite. When you visit the seedling kitchen and you sit down for a meal, you know that you will be served a little piece of Marian’s heart on a plate. She will enthusiastically share every ingredient, every story, every reason behind the food she has presented you with and she will do so with a sparkle in her eye that will make you long for passions you are yet to discover.
On August 31st, Marian invited me to join her “Take the Shlep Out of Prep” cooking workshop. “What if weeknight dinners could be a breeze? What if after-work hours could become the highlight of your day? Yes! What if dinner is sorted, and family time is prioritized?” She painted a picture of creativity and organization- meal prep on steroids!
Upon my arrival, I was warmly welcomed by the allure that Old Joes Kaia already holds, Paul and Marian welcomed me into their sacred space and I was led inside where I met the three other ladies who I would be sharing this experience with.
Marian handed us our notes, each adorned with our names, containing all the ingredients, knowledge, and spaces for reflections that would guide us through the next few hours. These notes would also serve as a perfect collection to revisit once the class was over, allowing us to bring our newfound skills back home. Now stained with laughter-infused wine spills and messy fingerprints, these notes held vegetable and herb/spice combinations that Marian had tried and tested, recipes, weekly dinner menu ideas, chakra insights, and guidance on how to eat for your chakras. They were filled with short and powerful anecdotes, along with a whole lot of contemplation and love.
After a wonderful chat about food, plant-based living and who we all were – a wonderful foundation was laid for us women to share in the next few hours together.
Marian guided us into the Seedling Kitchen where aromas were already filling the air – fresh herbs and beautiful spices, garlic and onion and all the good things that get you excited when you first step into a kitchen to whip something up.
Our cooking adventure included crafting falafel, a full moon salad dressing, the best mayonnaise I’ve ever tasted (and I confess, I have a mayo addiction), lentil stew, cauliflower white sauce, tomato sauce, vegetable cakes, cashew cream, and a savoury nut sprinkle. While these were our intended recipes, we often veered off course, letting the ingredients inspire us, all while indulging in infectious laughter and discovery.
Each of us took on various tasks, and I found myself arranging the salad plates. It was here I realized that a salad can be an art form, a creation of layers, flavours, and textures. I discovered that dressing is not just an accompaniment; it adds depth and breathes life into a medley of ingredients.
We rolled, packed, stirred, blended, and crushed, immersing ourselves in the joy of creation. Marian taught us about the beauty of Aquafaba, a humble ingredient often wasted, and taught us the wonders of fermentation and pulses – the magic that happens behind the scenes in a kitchen like this. We savoured simple flavour pairings, each bite eliciting “mmm”s and “aaah”s as we experienced the essence of UMAMI.
We created a bustling space in the kitchen, giving us all a sense of purpose while also allowing us to sip on wine and laugh at our own silliness. We each got a sauce to master, and boy, was I surprised. I was in charge of the cauliflower white sauce, and I impressed myself! We used the sauces to make a variety of dishes, including a lasagne and a cottage pie, of which Marian taught us how to present beautifully by laying each dollop of flavour separately to create an experience with every bite. She taught us that serving food should not be merely to feed people, but to absolutely satisfy them.
After hours of culinary exploration, we gathered around the TV to catch a bit of rugby as we waited for our delicious creations to simmer and bake. Once the food was ready, we all sat around the dinner table, and we had to say one word to describe how we were feeling. We all seemed to want to fight over the word “grateful,” which was fitting because sharing an experience like this with a group of strong, powerful, and inspiring women—bonding over the magic of food and the camaraderie in the kitchen—how could we feel anything but?
We indulged in our meals from starters to dessert, and we were absolutely stuffed by the end of the whole affair. As I waddled back to my room, belly full and heart even fuller, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the opportunities and experiences I have been blessed with in this beautiful place we call home.
The next morning, I woke up in the most comfortable bed with a stunning view of the surrounding bush and got myself ready for breakfast. Marian once again treated us to an absolute spread of fruit, yogurt, sprinkles, tea, jams, muffins, tofu scramble, cottage cheese, and so much more—all wonderfully, beautifully, and deliciously plant-based. This was the definition of indulgence, and I was not complaining. We talked about life and all its wonders; we shared our heartaches and the things that inspire us. It wasn’t just sitting and eating together; it was sharing a moment that will forever hold its space and place in the fabric of time.
I ended my Old Joe’s Kaia experience with a walk in the labyrinth, a place touched by labouring hands of love and intention. I was ready for whatever new challenges lay ahead of me, and oh so excited for it. I didn’t just attend a cooking workshop; I attended a journey that stirred my soul and ignited my passion for all the flavours life has yet to offer.
Taste, Togetherness, and Transformation: My Day at Old Joe’s Kaia
Taste, Togetherness, and Transformation: My Day at Old Joe’s Kaia
Old Joe’s Kaia. A name my parents spoke of with such fondness, a place that burrowed into my heart long before I ever set foot inside. Each visit to Old Joe’s Kaia and the Seedling Restaurant has crafted an indelible core memory, leaving me cloaked in a warm sense of home and nostalgia.
But this story is not solely about my connection with Old Joe’s Kaia or the wonderful Marian and Paul; it’s about the profound relationship we have with food—the sheer power of it.
Those who know me understand my passion for cooking, eating, sharing, and discussing food. I often find myself asking friends about their dinner experiences, seeking a deeper understanding of them. I love preparing meals for loved ones and ordering shared platters in restaurants, taking pleasure in the joy of food together. For me, food transcends mere sustenance; it embodies connection and love. My experience at the Seedling Restaurant with Marian reaffirmed my passion for food, allowing me to witness its beauty through the eyes of someone who has devoted a significant part of her life to it.
When I first met Marian, I was completely in awe and inspired by her enthusiasm for plant-based cooking and food. She brought life to a plate with colours and flavours that made you feel like you were eating a meal for the first time in your life. Her love for plants and flavours and the connection to the spirit permeates through every bite. When you visit the seedling kitchen and you sit down for a meal, you know that you will be served a little piece of Marian’s heart on a plate. She will enthusiastically share every ingredient, every story, every reason behind the food she has presented you with and she will do so with a sparkle in her eye that will make you long for passions you are yet to discover.
On August 31st, Marian invited me to join her “Take the Shlep Out of Prep” cooking workshop. “What if weeknight dinners could be a breeze? What if after-work hours could become the highlight of your day? Yes! What if dinner is sorted, and family time is prioritized?” She painted a picture of creativity and organization- meal prep on steroids!
Upon my arrival, I was warmly welcomed by the allure that Old Joes Kaia already holds, Paul and Marian welcomed me into their sacred space and I was led inside where I met the three other ladies who I would be sharing this experience with.
Marian handed us our notes, each adorned with our names, containing all the ingredients, knowledge, and spaces for reflections that would guide us through the next few hours. These notes would also serve as a perfect collection to revisit once the class was over, allowing us to bring our newfound skills back home. Now stained with laughter-infused wine spills and messy fingerprints, these notes held vegetable and herb/spice combinations that Marian had tried and tested, recipes, weekly dinner menu ideas, chakra insights, and guidance on how to eat for your chakras. They were filled with short and powerful anecdotes, along with a whole lot of contemplation and love.
After a wonderful chat about food, plant-based living and who we all were – a wonderful foundation was laid for us women to share in the next few hours together.
Marian guided us into the Seedling Kitchen where aromas were already filling the air – fresh herbs and beautiful spices, garlic and onion and all the good things that get you excited when you first step into a kitchen to whip something up.
Our cooking adventure included crafting falafel, a full moon salad dressing, the best mayonnaise I’ve ever tasted (and I confess, I have a mayo addiction), lentil stew, cauliflower white sauce, tomato sauce, vegetable cakes, cashew cream, and a savoury nut sprinkle. While these were our intended recipes, we often veered off course, letting the ingredients inspire us, all while indulging in infectious laughter and discovery.
Each of us took on various tasks, and I found myself arranging the salad plates. It was here I realized that a salad can be an art form, a creation of layers, flavours, and textures. I discovered that dressing is not just an accompaniment; it adds depth and breathes life into a medley of ingredients.
We rolled, packed, stirred, blended, and crushed, immersing ourselves in the joy of creation. Marian taught us about the beauty of Aquafaba, a humble ingredient often wasted, and taught us the wonders of fermentation and pulses – the magic that happens behind the scenes in a kitchen like this. We savoured simple flavour pairings, each bite eliciting “mmm”s and “aaah”s as we experienced the essence of UMAMI.
We created a bustling space in the kitchen, giving us all a sense of purpose while also allowing us to sip on wine and laugh at our own silliness. We each got a sauce to master, and boy, was I surprised. I was in charge of the cauliflower white sauce, and I impressed myself! We used the sauces to make a variety of dishes, including a lasagne and a cottage pie, of which Marian taught us how to present beautifully by laying each dollop of flavour separately to create an experience with every bite. She taught us that serving food should not be merely to feed people, but to absolutely satisfy them.
After hours of culinary exploration, we gathered around the TV to catch a bit of rugby as we waited for our delicious creations to simmer and bake. Once the food was ready, we all sat around the dinner table, and we had to say one word to describe how we were feeling. We all seemed to want to fight over the word “grateful,” which was fitting because sharing an experience like this with a group of strong, powerful, and inspiring women—bonding over the magic of food and the camaraderie in the kitchen—how could we feel anything but?
We indulged in our meals from starters to dessert, and we were absolutely stuffed by the end of the whole affair. As I waddled back to my room, belly full and heart even fuller, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the opportunities and experiences I have been blessed with in this beautiful place we call home.
The next morning, I woke up in the most comfortable bed with a stunning view of the surrounding bush and got myself ready for breakfast. Marian once again treated us to an absolute spread of fruit, yogurt, sprinkles, tea, jams, muffins, tofu scramble, cottage cheese, and so much more—all wonderfully, beautifully, and deliciously plant-based. This was the definition of indulgence, and I was not complaining. We talked about life and all its wonders; we shared our heartaches and the things that inspire us. It wasn’t just sitting and eating together; it was sharing a moment that will forever hold its space and place in the fabric of time.
I ended my Old Joe’s Kaia experience with a walk in the labyrinth, a place touched by labouring hands of love and intention. I was ready for whatever new challenges lay ahead of me, and oh so excited for it. I didn’t just attend a cooking workshop; I attended a journey that stirred my soul and ignited my passion for all the flavours life has yet to offer.
Do yourself a favour and join The Seedling’s Buddha Bowl Workshop on the 5th of October. This is a day event – preparing and enjoying LUNCH.
More posts