Survival of the tastiest: A cooking class for young adults

With Honeyjane and Leenas Pauls.

As a local permaculturalist and kai enthusiast, Honeyjane is passionate about helping young people learn how to create simple, healthy, and delicious meals on a budget. With a background in hospitality, food production, healing, and conservation, she brings a wholesome, organic, and fun approach to teaching. Honeyjane has gained experience in Australia, Aotearoa, and the U.K., and is currently the Head Chef of the Riverside-based community café, “Komitimiti.”

Leenas has been cooking for his family from a very young age and has worked as a kitchen hand and sous chef since he was 13. He loves experimenting with spices and flavour combinations, creating a wide variety of dishes from the same base ingredients—often using whatever is available in the garden or pantry. Now 16, he confidently wields his home-forged knives and brings a sense of humour to the table.