The Living Kitchen

Gillian Polson

Every year, hundreds of enthusiasts from all over the world visit Akaroa’s Herb Farm.  Here, on two acres of peaceful river valley, Gillian Polson grows and sells herbs.  This is not merely a commercial venture, however, for the Herb Farm is the manifestation of Gillian Polson’s philosophy;  it is a whole way of life.  To her visitors, Gillian Polson is a source of knowledge, and entertainer and an inspiration.  The Living Kitchen has, between its covers, much of the knowledge, wisdom and sense of fun that all who have met the author have encountered.

As well as being an entertainment, The Living Kitchen is a practical book.  It contains information on the month-y-month cultivation of a large number of herbs, as well as advice on culinary and medicinal uses.  There are tips on using herbs fresh; a chapter in which the author discusses her wholefood philosophy and gives a selection of recipes for wholefood fare, and another on Gillian Polson’s five-minute no-knead bread.

Illustrations accompany the text and the book also contains a glossary of herbs frown at the Herb Farm.