The real reason I still believe in seasonal eating

It'll change the way you cook and eat. Plus, a guide to what to buy and when.

“Seasonal eats” is a phrase you often hear coming from cool and fancy restaurants. And of course, most chefs out there are championing fresh produce. But what does it actually mean? Simply put, seasonal eating means consuming fruit and vegetables that are naturally ripe and ready for harvest in your local area at a specific time of year. So, is it just a buzzword they’re using to sound like they know what they’re doing? Or does it actually make a tangible difference to your meal? The answer is a big, fat, resounding YES! When produce is in its season, it’s at its peak of flavour, packed with nutrients, and often times, more sustainable.

For me personally, it didn’t really start as a philosophy, but was actually a necessity. I grew up moving around several different countries, so I learned early on that food tastes different depending on where and when you eat it. Strawberries in the summer. Hearty roots in the winter. Some things weren’t available all year round, and you make do with what you have.

I grew up moving between several different countries, so I learned early on that food tastes different depending on where and when you eat it. Think strawberries in the summer and hearty roots in the winter. Some things simply weren’t available all year round, and you learned to make do with what you had.

For the first 12 years of my life, I was in Tanzania, East Africa. We always shopped at local markets, and my mother would get dairy from nearby farms, making everything from scratch – butter, yoghurt, and creams. Both my grandmothers were brilliant cooks and green-fingered. My Norwegian grandmother, living in Sweden, had the most incredible garden with a summerhouse where she’d grow fruits and vegetables. My Bulgarian grandmother sourced everything from her local market, making delicious pickles and jarring tomatoes for the darker months. You could say that having a well-stocked pantry and following the seasons is truly ingrained in me.

During my formative years, living in Sweden, supermarkets had everything, all the time. Mangoes in January, asparagus in November. It was convenient, but something felt off. The taste. The energy. The connection. I missed knowing where my food came from and when it was meant to be enjoyed. As my career in the food world grew, I found myself instinctively drawn back to my roots of seasonal eating.

Now, I always get my food from the local farmers' market – and there are several compelling reasons why I believe you need to introduce seasonal eating into your life.

You can thank me later.