In this episode, we're joined by Ashley Alexander, Maple from Canada Australia ambassador, author, recipe developer, and the creative force behind Gather and Feast, a Melbourne-based hub sharing home-friendly recipes.

Ashley shares how her love of cooking started young, inspired by her mother's cookbooks, and how this grew into creating her own recipes. Encouraged by her husband to document them, she launched Gather and Feast, publishing recipes designed to be easy, flavourful, and enjoyable for anyone to make.

She discusses her food philosophy, emphasising recipes that help people succeed in the kitchen and deliver maximum flavour. Ashley also reflects on lessons learned along the way, from healthy baking to no-fuss meals for her young children, and the influence of her mother, who grew vegetables and used maple syrup in baking, breakfast, and savoury dishes.

On the topic of maple syrup, Ashley shares her favourite ways to use maple syrup beyond pancakes, from salad dressings to roast chicken, and highlights its smooth texture and balanced sweetness. She also reveals a simple favourite snack: unsweetened Greek yoghurt with maple syrup and roasted walnuts.

Tune in for an episode full of Ashley's passion for food and what she's most excited about in 2026.

Follow www.instagram.com/james_golding_chef/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.

Ashley's Salad E-book is available here.

Follow Ashley here: https://www.instagram.com/gatherandfeast/ or visit the Gather & Feast website: https://www.gatherandfeast.com/recipes.