INSIDE

We're so excited to welcome Kate Foster as our Food Contributor. At UKOO food lives within our Inside pillar, a space where nourishment, care, and home are deeply honoured. Through Kate's storytelling and mindful approach to cooking, she helps us connect to the land, our communities, and ourselves.

Kate has worked across some of Melbourne's most thoughtful food institutions including Napier Quarter, Julia's and now Public Wine in Fitzroy. While she doesn't work in the kitchen, her understanding of food runs deep. Her culinary philosophy has been shaped by years of experience front-of-house, the influence of chefs she's worked alongside, and a lifelong respect for produce, process, and place.

Her cooking is rooted in memory, intuition, and curiosity from her rural upbringing around homegrown produce and farming, to the handwritten recipes passed down through her family, to her growing knowledge of global food systems and their social and environmental impact.

For Kate, food is never just about what's on the plate. It's a form of storytelling, of connecting with others, and of honouring the land. Whether she's sharing a market-inspired recipe or reflecting on the cultural and ecological importance of food, her voice reminds us that cooking can be both simple and profound.

We're honoured to share this space with Kate, and can't wait to bring her thoughtful contributions to the Ukoo Family table.

Kate's approach to food is intuitive, thoughtful, and grounded in a lifelong relationship with produce, place, and people.

"I've learnt more than just how to carry three plates at once," Kate says of her time in hospitality. Her understanding of food has been shaped not through formal culinary training, but through the influence of chefs she's worked alongside, her family's traditions, countless cookbooks, and the occasional Google search. Raised by parents and grandparents who farmed and grew much of their own food, Kate has always understood the origins of what's on her plate something she now recognises as a privilege and a responsibility.

For Kate, cooking begins with quality produce. It doesn't have to be complicated it just has to be honest. A good egg on toast, finished with sea salt and cracked pepper, can be as memorable as a multi-course meal if it's made with care. Her cooking philosophy is driven by modesty and mindfulness: honouring ingredients, making things from scratch, and creating food that feels connected to the land and the people sharing it.

Seasonality and local markets are her compass. Inspiration often comes from what's at its peak a ripe tomato, a bunch of herbs, or a beautiful loaf of bread and from there, Kate builds meals that reflect both the moment and the memory. Her recipe folder is a living collection of nostalgia, torn-out magazine pages, handwritten notes, family emails each one tied to people, places, and stories.

Kate's curiosity also extends beyond the kitchen. While studying landscape architecture, she explored the intersection of food with culture, politics, land, and ecology. This opened up a wider conversation around food systems, environmental impact, and the social values that shape what we eat. Her hope is to continue researching and working within this space bridging creative and cross-disciplinary approaches to reshape how we think about food.

At the heart of her philosophy is a desire to make food approachable, connected, and meaningful. Whether it's a quiet meal at home or a shared table with loved ones, food for Kate is about creating moments, holding memory, and celebrating the land it comes from.

1. How has your food philosophy shaped the way you cook and create?

My philosophy deeply influences how I choose and source food. I focus on quality, local, and seasonal produce with a respect for where and how it's grown. Cooking, to me, is an act of mindfulness. It's about reducing waste, being resourceful, and always creating with intention. It can be simple and bold, but always purposeful.

2. How has your heritage or upbringing helped you connect with others through food?

I grew up in a rural area with parents and grandparents who farmed and raised their own food. That early understanding of where food comes from gave me a strong sense of place and community. It also taught me about the effort behind every ingredient which makes sharing food with others even more meaningful.

3. What does 'family and friendship' mean to you and how does it affect your approach to food?

Food has always been a central way to connect in my life. Whether it's a long lunch or a simple breakfast, sharing food creates space for deeper connection. It's not always about the dish itself it's about being present, making memories, and enjoying the company of people you love.

4. What is a favourite food memory or experience you look back on fondly?

It's hard to choose just one! But some of my most cherished memories are the simple ones like standing around a kitchen bench with friends, trying a new recipe, or sharing a meal cooked from scratch using produce picked up that morning from the market. Those small moments carry the most meaning for me.

Kate's approach to food rooted in respect for the land, mindful sourcing, and the joy of sharing aligns beautifully with UKOO's values of nourishment, care, and connection. Her belief that cooking can be both simple and profound, and that every meal holds the potential for memory and meaning, reminds us to slow down and savour what's on our table and who we share it with.

You can follow Kate on Instagram.