In conversation with Kevin Helas of The Wholefood Kitchen
Kevin Helas of The Wholefood Kitchen supported Every Bite in Year 3. He delivered a cooking demonstration for the kick-off event at EcoMatters, and contributed recipes to the 2nd edition of the Every Bite Recipe Book.
Source: online interview with Helene Malandain.
For Kevin Helas of The Wholefood Kitchen, food is about much more than avoiding waste. It is a way to connect people with abundance, creativity, themselves and each other.
His interest in Every Bite came naturally. With a background and extensive training in wholefood and macrobiotic cooking, he saw a strong alignment between his own approach and Every Bite’s focus on kitchen efficiency and making the most of what we have.
“I'm very passionate about food and cooking as a way to step out of survival. I'm much more about food and cooking being a connection to abundance and vitality and life.”
That philosophy came to life at an EcoMatters Every Bite workshop in a community garden in Te Atatū. Working with seasonal produce and ingredients that were past their prime – including zucchinis – participants cooked resourcefully, turning what they had into dishes such as chickpea salad, combining ‘ageing’ ingredients with fresher elements harvested from the garden. Creative ideas sparked enthusiasm: cherry tomatoes were roasted, their juices set aside and turned into a vinaigrette.
Image: EcoMatters
The focus wasn’t on telling people they should waste less or save money. Instead, participants discovered what was possible when they looked differently at the food in front of them. The ethos of wholefood cooking ensures that wherever possible nothing goes to waste. It’s here where we can connect with real creativity in the kitchen, complexity of flavours.
For Kevin, learning by doing is key to sustaining behaviour change. Shared meals and hands-on cooking classes create a space where people can overcome apprehension, build confidence and discover practical ways to make the most of what they have.
But the cooking is only part of it. The real power comes from bringing people together.
“Tying in with existing communities, jumping in, doing a class or a cook together, making shared meals and swapping ideas in person.”
Image: EcoMatters
Kevin believes these opportunities need to be embedded in places where people already gather – from community gardens, schools, marae and local community groups. People may come looking for practical tools, but they are also looking for connection.
“People want practical tools in their everyday life. They might be struggling economically, but they're also looking for community. They're looking for community and connection and coming together and sharing stories over a meal. That is always the most beautiful thing during my workshops.”
That exchange is what makes the learning stick. Everyone arrives with different knowledge, experiences and ideas, and everyone has something to contribute.
“Nāku te rourou, Nāu te rourou Ka ora ai te iwi”
With my basket, with your basket, we will all prosper
“What's beautiful is that there's an exchange that happens and everyone – no matter what level – has something to share. They bring something to the equation. And there's an empowerment that comes from that, from cross-pollination.”
Image: EcoMatters
Kevin was also impressed by how Every Bite translated its approach into practical resources, particularly its recipe booklet. He contributed several recipes and saw how carefully they were adapted for everyday kitchens.
“There's some fantastic stuff in there. I provided three recipes, and Every Bite took real care in editing the content, fleshing it out and breaking it down for everyday use in people's kitchens.”
For Kevin, this combination of practical tools, creativity and community is where the real opportunity lies. Rather than framing food waste as a problem to solve, Every Bite can help people rediscover the value and possibilities in the food they already have – and, in doing so, make cooking a source of confidence, connection and abundance.
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