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The Underground Chef

Cooks Collective

Cook’s Collective is your introduction to Underground Chef. Discover seasonal ideas, simple techniques, and everyday inspiration to help you cook with more ease and confidence.

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You stay in control

Cook’s Collective is designed to be easy to dip into whenever it suits you. There’s no schedule to keep up with and no pressure to do everything. Explore what’s useful, return anytime, and cook in a way that feels natural.

Seasonal cook-along videos using what’s available

Simple recipes and guides you can revisit anytime

Short videos focused on everyday techniques

Ongoing inspiration to build kitchen confidence

A relaxed place to learn without pressure

Recipes and ideas to try

Explore written recipes, simple guides, and everyday ideas you can read, save, and return to whenever you need a little inspiration.

From Garden to Pantry: Tips, Finds & Nostalgia

February 6, 2026

What’s New In Store: Saucy Wench Sauces

Meet Lisa from Saucy Wench and discover why her Asian-inspired sauces are pantry multi-taskers—perfect for marinades, dressings, dips and finishing drizzles, not just “Asian nights.”

From Garden to Pantry: Tips, Finds & Nostalgia

February 6, 2026

What’s In Season: Doughnut Peaches

A short-season summer treat from Stanthorpe: doughnut peaches. Chef Ian shares how to choose them, plus a 5-minute grilled peach dessert with vanilla ice cream and Lirah Fig Balsamic.

From Garden to Pantry: Tips, Finds & Nostalgia

February 6, 2026

What’s In Season: Mango

A bright Vietnamese prawn and mango salad using peak-season mangoes, fresh herbs and vermicelli, finished with lime and Pandaroo Vietnamese dressing—light, refreshing and perfect for summer.

From Garden to Pantry: Tips, Finds & Nostalgia

February 6, 2026

What’s In Season: Sweet Corn

Peak-season sweet corn with a smokey miso butter twist. Air-fried until blistered, then finished with Drunken Sailor Smokey Chipotle Honey for a sweet-savoury glaze.

From Garden to Pantry: Tips, Finds & Nostalgia

February 6, 2026

What’s In Season: Asparagus

Spring asparagus made simple. Chef Ian shares his easy trimming and steaming method for bright, crisp spears, finished with hollandaise and black pepper—plus a quick BBQ option.

Your Culinary Arsenal: Equipment, Gadgets, Knives & Pantry Staples

February 5, 2026

Cole & Mason Richmond Electronic Salt & Pepper Set

Sleek, one-handed electronic salt and pepper mills with adjustable grind settings, premium grinding mechanisms, and a comfortable non-slip grip—built for everyday use.

Your Culinary Arsenal: Equipment, Gadgets, Knives & Pantry Staples

February 5, 2026

Microplane Premium Zester Grater

A slimline Microplane premium zester grater for effortless citrus zesting, fine parmesan wisps, and grating spices like ginger and nutmeg. Comfortable grip, bench-safe tabs, and protective cover included.

Your Culinary Arsenal: Equipment, Gadgets, Knives & Pantry Staples

February 5, 2026

How Do You Season a Wok

A compact, easy-to-use vacuum sealer that locks out air to extend freshness, prevent freezer burn, and keep your fridge and freezer organised. Ideal for portioning, leftovers, marinating and sous vide.

Your Culinary Arsenal: Equipment, Gadgets, Knives & Pantry Staples

February 5, 2026

Keep It Fresh Food Vacuum Sealer

A compact, easy-to-use vacuum sealer that locks out air to extend freshness, prevent freezer burn, and keep your fridge and freezer organised. Ideal for portioning, leftovers, marinating and sous vide.

Your Culinary Arsenal: Equipment, Gadgets, Knives & Pantry Staples

February 5, 2026

Chef-Tested Rolling Knife Sharpener

Here’s the truth most people don’t realise: a blunt knife is more dangerous than a sharp one.

Simple videos to cook along

Follow simple videos that show techniques, ideas, and small improvements you can use straight away in your own kitchen, with confidence.

Underground Chef - What's in the Pantry: Chefs Ian's Magnificent 7 Kitchen Tools
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Underground Chef - What's In the Pantry: Butter & Curds
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Underground Chef - What's in Season: Panama Passionfruit Panna Cotta
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101: Eating for One – 7 Meals from One $10 Chicken (Part 8: Chicken Fried Rice)
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101: Eating for One – 7 Meals from One $10 Chicken (Part 7: Mexican Chicken Wrap)
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101: Eating for One – 7 Meals from One $10 Chicken (Part 6: Japanese-Style Chicken Ramen Bowl)
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101: Eating for One – 7 Meals from One $10 Chicken (Part 5: Open Chicken Melt)
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101: Eating for One – 7 Meals from One $10 Chicken (Part 4: Chicken Soup from Scratch)
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101: Eating for One – 7 Meals from One $10 Chicken (Part 3: Creamy Chicken Vegetable Pasta)
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101: Eating for One – 7 Meals from One $10 Chicken (Part 2: The Breakdown)
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101 - Eating for One – 7 Meals from One $10 Chicken (Part 1: The Roast)
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101: How to Boil the Perfect Egg (No Guesswork)
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101: What's in the Fridge?
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101 – What to Do with Excess Fresh Herbs
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101 - Chef Ian’s Practical Guide to Perfect Poached Eggs (Every Time)
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Underground Chef - Lets Talk Pantry - The What (is inside), Why (is was created) and How (to use it).
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101: Sharp or Dull? Why a Sharp Knife Is Safer in the Kitchen
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Underground Chef - Kitchen 101: How to Make Scrambled Eggs
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Underground Chef - What's In Season: Queen Garnet Plums
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Underground Chef - What's In the Pantry: Lupins for Life Toasted Protein Flakes
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Underground Chef - Kitchen Basics - Perfect Boiled Rice

Underground Chef - Kitchen Basics - Perfect Steamed Rice

Underground Chef - What’s In Season: Fresh Figs

Underground Chef - What’s In Season: Doughnut Peaches

Underground Chef - A Granite Belt Foodie Stop You Don’t Skip: Sam’s Farm Fresh in Cottonvale

Underground Chef - What’s in Season: Mango and a Vietnamese Prawn & Mango Salad

Underground Chef - What's in Season: Sweet Corn with Miso Butter

Underground Chef - What's in Season: Asparagus

Underground Chef - What's New in the Pantry - The Keep It Fresh Food Vacuum Sealer Kit

Underground Chef - What's New in the Kitchen - Underground Chef Bib Apron

Underground Chef - What's in the Pantry: Lamb Shanks

Underground Chef - Kitchen Basics: Cutting Onions 101

Underground Chef - What's New in Kitchen Tools - Let’s Talk Knives - European vs Asian Knives (And Why You Need Both)

Underground Chef - Making Mum's Aussie Version of Okonomiyaki - with Chef Ian

Underground Chef - What's New in Kitchen Tools - Meet the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 Multi Cooker - The Little Workhorse That Does It All

Underground Chef - What's New in Kitchen Tools - Chef-Tested Rolling Knife Sharpener in Action

Underground Chef - Beef Stock Tutorial by Chef Ian

Underground Chef - Kitchen Basics - Chicken Stock Tutorial with Chef Ian

Underground Chef - Kitchen Basics - Fish Stock Tutorial with Chef Ian

Underground Chef - Kitchen Basics - Vegetable Stock Tutorial by Chef Ian

Underground Chef - Kitchen Basics - Making Veloute with Chef Ian

Underground Chef - Kitchen Basics - Making Bechamel Sauce with Chef Ian