Korean Cooking, New Discoveries and Food That Connects Us
Back in May, I gifted my mum a Korean plant-based cooking evening at Southcoast Cookery School for her birthday. Last night, we finally got to enjoy it together, and it couldn't have been a better way to spend an evening.
As luck would have it, we chose the hottest day of the year.
Thankfully, Lulu, our chef and teacher from Lux Organic, had thought of everything. Refreshing watermelon was served throughout the evening to help everyone stay cool, while we settled in with a fragrant hibiscus tea and some delicious homemade date, matcha and pistachio snack balls.
Learning Korean Plant-Based Cooking
The class focused on Korean-inspired plant-based dishes that were packed with flavour yet simple enough to recreate at home.
On the menu were:
Bulgogi lettuce cups
Jackfruit dumplings with a spicy dipping sauce
Kimchi soup
Alongside the cooking, we enjoyed a lovely glass of wine and plenty of conversation as the evening unfolded.
What I appreciated most was Lulu’s style of teaching. Her recipes felt creative without being intimidating, and every step was explained in a way that left me feeling inspired and excited to recreate the dishes at home.
My Discovery of the Evening: Perilla Leaves
The ingredient that completely stole the show for me was something I’d never come across before: perilla leaves.
Served as a decorative base for the dumplings, they immediately caught my attention. Curious, I tasted one on its own and was surprised by its flavour. Fresh, citrusy and almost mint-like, it was unlike anything I’d tried before.
Lulu shared lots of ideas for using them, particularly with sushi and other Asian-inspired dishes, and my mind immediately started racing with possibilities.
I love moments like this. Discovering a new ingredient opens up a whole world of ideas and inspiration.
More Than Just a Cooking Class
As wonderful as the food was, what stayed with me most was the atmosphere.
The room was filled with people from all walks of life, each with their own stories and passion for food. Spending time around other creative people is always energising, and it reminded me once again how food has an incredible way of bringing people together.
Whether it’s around a family dinner table, in a restaurant or standing side by side in a cookery class, sharing food creates conversations, friendships and memories.
It’s something I’ve noticed throughout my own cooking journey, and this evening reinforced it beautifully.
Meeting Lulu
Everything Lulu creates through Lux Organic is exactly the sort of food I love.
Bold flavours. Plenty of spice. Vibrant plant-based cooking that’s creative, mindful and full of colour.
She was also incredibly generous with her knowledge, taking the time to chat about ingredients, techniques and my own relearning journey in the kitchen. Those conversations were every bit as valuable as the recipes themselves.
Leaving Inspired
I left with a full stomach, lunch sorted for the next day and a notebook full of ideas to try at home.
Most importantly, I left inspired.
Inspired by new ingredients.
Inspired by new flavours.
Inspired by the people in the room.
Because evenings like this remind me that cooking is about so much more than recipes. It’s about learning, sharing experiences and connecting with others.
Needless to say, I immediately looked at booking Lulu’s sushi course.
Unfortunately, I’ve realised already booked another cooking course that evening…
I may officially have a cooking class addiction!
