Demonstrations

Sam Cooper - The Art of Fermentation

Where:

Food Theatre - Outer Bailey

When:

12th September 2026
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

 

Welcome to a world of flavour that money can’t buy...

Join chef, fermenter and gardener, Sam Cooper, as he delves deep into the ancient art of fermentation, revealing how everyday ingredients can be transformed in flavour and form to produce delicious, nutritious, and health-boosting recipes. Focusing on maximising flavour, texture, and aroma, The Fermentation Kitchen serves as both a comprehensive guide and an inspiration for cooks of all levels.

From kimchi to miso, kombucha to ginger beer, The Fermentation Kitchen introduces readers to a wide range of authentic and adapted techniques from across cultures and continents, which harness bacteria, yeast and fungus to create a variety of ferments that add incredible flavours to dishes, enhance nutrition, improve gut health and give perishable produce a new lease of life.

Outlining the processes for a handful of his own favourite microbes, Cooper hopes to inspire readers to introduce ferments in day-to-day cooking - from using black garlic in salad dressing and stews to lacto berries in smoothies and casseroles. With step-by-step instructions and photography, this foundation to fermentation ensures that cupboards are stocked with gutboosting bacteria along with recipes on how best to incorporate them into everyday meals.

The Fermentation Kitchen encourages readers to not only learn to preserve and enhance their food but understand the art and science of the natural processes. This book is more than a collection of recipes; it's an invitation to explore the fascinating microbial world and incorporate its wonders into your everyday cooking.

Sam Cooper previously worked as a professional chef but has since left the kitchens for the garden, now working full-time with Huw Richards as a co-director for Regenerative Media (IG:@regenerative.media). Since then, his fascination with seasonal and homegrown produce has grown along with his Instagram following. Sam has amassed 583K followers on Instagram where he posts delicious ferment recipes using homegrown produce. Sam wrote the In the Kitchen chapter of The Self-Sufficiency Garden (March 2024) and published his first book The Nature of Food in 2022. He is also a photographer and illustrator.

Find Sam on Instagram: @chef.sam.black