By Herald Sun-
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YOUNG mums are beating a path to Marlene Hoff’s Somerville home, eager to buy her healthy, home cooked meals.
The chef, caterer and hospitality trainer recently launched a line of ready made meals created from seasonal produce grown on the Mornington Peninsula, and is well on her way to becoming the region’s own Maggie Beer.
“They are really popular with young mums looking for calorie-controlled meals that taste great and are prepared with quality ingredients,” Mrs Hoff said.
“I decided to add them to my range of products after being asked over and over by people if I made take-home meals.”
Don’t miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.Follow
YOUNG mums are beating a path to Marlene Hoff’s Somerville home, eager to buy her healthy, home cooked meals.
The chef, caterer and hospitality trainer recently launched a line of ready made meals created from seasonal produce grown on the Mornington Peninsula, and is well on her way to becoming the region’s own Maggie Beer.
“They are really popular with young mums looking for calorie-controlled meals that taste great and are prepared with quality ingredients,” Mrs Hoff said.
“I decided to add them to my range of products after being asked over and over by people if I made take-home meals.”
Marlene Hoff has launched 20 products made from peninsula produce and is about to open a cooking school. Picture: Andrew Henshaw
The menu is based on seasonal produce and includes a range of soups such as Turkish Lentil, Mulligatawny, roasted potato, garlic and leek and Dutch pea and ham.
“I take inspiration from what I see when I’m out and about,” Mrs Hoff said.
“The other day I was at a friend’s and they had some beautiful sage and I got some fabulous chestnuts from Jenny (McAuley) at Red Hill Truffles so I made sage and chestnut soup.”.
The venture is the latest in her growing food empire — 100 Mile Foodie
Mrs Hoff established the business in 2013 in a bid to educate people about the importance of using sustainable and ethical food and wine.
She has developed 22 products under the 100 Mile Foodie label, including jams, chutneys, fruit pastes, cordials and teas.
Her ultimate goal is to open her own restaurant serving dishes containing only peninsula produce.
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In the meantime she is working towards hosting lunches and cooking classes at her home with students able to pick their ingredients from her kitchen garden.
“I’d really like to be able to make the cooking classes accessible to everyone, including those from low-socio-economic groups,” Mrs Hoff said.
“I could show them how easy it is to grow their own produce, even if they only have room for one apple crate for herbs or greens, and how to use it to make simple, affordable and delicious food.”
Mrs Hoff’s first kitchen garden lunch will be held on Saturday, July 22 with a Christmas in July theme.
Details: 100milefoodie.com.au
Vegan Housemade baked beans — one of the many organic meals from 100 Mile Foodie in Somerville. Picture: Instagram
CLASS ABOVE
Experience the thrill of a truffle hunt and then learn how to cook with the black gold.
100 Mile Foodie Marlene Hoff will host a cooking class at Red Hill Truffle Farm on Saturday, August 12. The event is a collaboration between Mrs Hoff and truffle farmer Jenny McAuley. Guests will be able to tour the truffiere and witness a truffle hunt before the cooking class and lunch.
