How Carter Were makes gardening and cooking a family event

How Carter Were
makes gardening and cooking a family event

Originally from New Zealand, Carter now lives in Byron Bay, Australia, with her partner, Jack, their three young children, and their dog, Milo. A self-taught chef and baker, she has co-authored two cookbooks with her twin sister.

We caught up with her to chat about her passion for good food and her hopes of passing down the art of growing and cooking—starting with her own kids.

Originally from New Zealand, Carter now lives in Byron Bay, Australia, with her partner, Jack, their three young children, and their dog, Milo. A self-taught chef and baker, she has co-authored two cookbooks with her twin sister.

We caught up with her to chat about her passion for good food and her hopes of passing down the art of growing and cooking—starting with her own kids.

What role has gardening and cooking had in your life?

My parents weren’t big gardeners or didn’t enjoy cooking. I grew up in Auckland city, but we did have a big section with mandarin, grapefruit and loquat trees. My mum studied landscape architecture when I was in my final years of school, so she did like gardens, but she hated cooking.

Cooking wasn’t something I became interested in until my early 20s. I went to Greece for the first time when I was 19 and worked as a nanny. This is when my passion for food and for cooking began. I loved the simplicity and realised food doesn’t have to be complicated to taste good.

What role has gardening and cooking had in your life?

My parents weren’t big gardeners or didn’t enjoy cooking. I grew up in Auckland city, but we did have a big section with mandarin, grapefruit and loquat trees. My mum studied landscape architecture when I was in my final years of school, so she did like gardens, but she hated cooking.

Cooking wasn’t something I became interested in until my early 20s. I went to Greece for the first time when I was 19 and worked as a nanny. This is when my passion for food and for cooking began. I loved the simplicity and realised food doesn’t have to be complicated to taste good.

Your partner takes care of the garden, you’re the cook...how do you incorporate your kids into these activities?

We both cook actually and Jack is really good! The kids are always eager to help and I let them even though it can be hard/take longer/is messy at the same time. Dorothy loves to help but she doesn’t eat anything I do cook.

The kids have no choice but to come to the garden when we go over there as they’re still a little young to be left alone inside and the garden we can’t quite see from the house. They love to get involved and pick and try things that are growing. Jack is a great gardener and a great teacher. The older the kids get, the more interested they are and willing to help.

Your partner takes care of the garden, you’re the cook...how do you incorporate your kids into these activities?

We both cook actually and Jack is really good! The kids are always eager to help and I let them even though it can be hard/take longer/is messy at the same time. Dorothy loves to help but she doesn’t eat anything I do cook.

The kids have no choice but to come to the garden when we go over there as they’re still a little young to be left alone inside and the garden we can’t quite see from the house. They love to get involved and pick and try things that are growing. Jack is a great gardener and a great teacher. The older the kids get, the more interested they are and willing to help.

Tips for gardening and cooking with kids?

Let them get involved, ask questions and get their hands dirty. Even though it takes longer and can be harder. It’s so special for them to feel involved.

How has your family’s interest in growing your own food influenced how you cook for your family?

When we have produce growing in the garden we are forced to cook with what we have available in the garden which makes cooking dinner every night a little more varied and I do enjoy the challenge of using up what we have.

How do you pass down your passion and lessons for cooking and where food comes from to your family?

I don’t intentionally but of course [my kids] are absorbing everything we do! I have written two cookbooks and I hope they use them to cook for their family and friends when they are older. It’s part of the reason I wanted to publish my own cookbooks.

Tips for gardening and cooking with kids?

Let them get involved, ask questions and get their hands dirty. Even though it takes longer and can be harder. It’s so special for them to feel involved.

How has your family’s interest in growing your own food influenced how you cook for your family?

When we have produce growing in the garden we are forced to cook with what we have available in the garden which makes cooking dinner every night a little more varied and I do enjoy the challenge of using up what we have.

How do you pass down your passion and lessons for cooking and where food comes from to your family?

I don’t intentionally but of course [my kids] are absorbing everything we do! I have written two cookbooks and I hope they use them to cook for their family and friends when they are older. It’s part of the reason I wanted to publish my own cookbooks.

What does your family love to grow in the garden?

Greens, zucchini, lettuce, tomatoes, flowers and herbs. It depends on the season but we love to try grow lots of things. I’m most excited about the watermelon at the moment, I hope it’s a good one!

Follow Carter and her family as they grow closer over food at @werebros.

What does your family love to grow in the garden?

Greens, zucchini, lettuce, tomatoes, flowers and herbs. It depends on the season but we love to try grow lots of things. I’m most excited about the watermelon at the moment, I hope it’s a good one!

Follow Carter and her family as they grow closer over food at @werebros.