Jo to share gut-friendly recipes at MBFW

With a passion for using natural ingredients in the kitchen, Jo Whitton is on a mission to show others how cooking healthy meals can be a little bit quirky, but also lots of fun.

As the face behind the Quirky Cooking website and social media pages, Jo loves teaching families how certain foods are good for your gut health, and how a few simple diet and lifestyle changes can leave you feeling happier and well nourished.

With a huge following online, Jo has been asked to share her message with the crowds at this year’s Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival, which returns to Apex Park in Woody Point from August 23-25.

“This will be my first time appearing at the festival, and I am really excited to see it all,” Jo says.

“I will be travelling from my home in North Queensland, and I can’t wait to meet lots of new people, make new connections, and use the beautiful produce that is grown in and around Moreton Bay.

“I have heard really good things about the festival, so to be asked to come along and cook on stage and share my message is a real highlight for me.”

Jo will be appearing on The Kitchenette Stage on Friday from 3pm-3.30pm and Saturday from 11.45am-12.15pm, where she will share some of her favourite recipes, kitchen tips and tricks, as well as discuss the many medicinal benefits certain foods have and how they can improve your overall gut health.

“My approach to a healthy diet is built on the principles of whole foods – food that is as close to nature as possible, produced using traditional preparation techniques rather than produced in a laboratory, with a focus on high quality ingredients that are grown without pesticides wherever possible,” Jo explains.

“When we consume food, our aim is to experience and receive nourishment. The most nourishing foods are those as close to their natural state as possible: meat, eggs, seafood, leafy green vegetables, root vegetables, nuts, seeds and fruit.

“Refined foods are not only detrimental for our health - think inflammation, obesity, poor gut health, heart disease and more - they are also unsatisfying, because they are not providing the body with the nourishment our cells need, so overeating becomes a big issue. And of course, since we are now consuming these refined foods in much larger quantities than ever, our health suffers greatly.

“I will be showing people how they can still enjoy their favourite traditional dishes simply by swapping out a few ingredients.”

Jo will also be available for pictures and to have a chat with the crowd following a special meet and greet session after each demo.

Tickets to the festival are on sale now. Head to the Moreton Bay Food + Wine website to book. 

About Quirky Cooking

Founded in 2008, Jo established Quirky Cooking to improve her family’s health.

Not only did Jo always seem to suffer from exhaustion, headaches, food reactions, recurring colds, tummy upsets, skin issues and low weight problems, but her kids also had similar health issues.

She eventually decided food intolerance was the problem and sought to find a better way to feed her family.

At first it was a hobby and a way to connect with other people who were suffering from food intolerance, but it quickly turned into a full-time business.

When her son was diagnosed with severe OCD and anxiety, Jo began researching the GAPS Diet (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) and soon realised the importance of healing the gut as opposed to just avoiding problematic food.

“Once we started to work purposefully on improving his gut health by focusing on nutrient dense, healing foods, and reducing the toxins in his environment, we saw gigantic changes in his health,” Jo explains. 

“And I healed more in those two years than in the 15 years of working on my health before that.”

Today, the Quirky Cooking website features plenty of allergy-friendly recipes, tips, meal plans, blogs, and an online store, making it a one-stop-shop for support, resources and a back-to-basics approach to food and health.

Since embarking on this journey, Jo has also written three best-selling cookbooks titled Quirky Cooking, Life-Changing Food, and Simple, Healing Food.

Jo also hosts wellness cooking workshops, gut health retreats and seminars across Australia and overseas, and has her own podcast where she talks about good nutrition, creating healthy habits, culinary medicine and more.

You can stream her podcasts on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

One-on-one with Jo

Q: What has been one of the best moments of your career so far?

A: I would have to say seeing my son heal with food. It was such a huge journey and a dark time that he overcame when he was diagnosed with severe OCD and anxiety, and that was all thanks to healing food. For me, that is at the centre of why I do what I do.

Q: What are some of your favourite ingredients to work with and why?

A: Butter, because it’s delicious and makes everything better! I also love homemade meat stocks because they can add a lot of flavour to your meals and sauces, and they also have a lot of healing benefits.

Q: Do you grow your own ingredients at home?

A: Yes, I do have a garden at home where I grow things like turmeric, ginger, strawberries and herbs. I love how I can head out the backyard and see what’s ready and then figure out what to make with it. I am much more creative when I can see and touch fresh produce rather than having to think up something with only a piece of paper.

Q: Are you more of a sweet or savoury person?

A: Savoury. I do love baking and I love chocolate desserts, but the majority of things I make are savoury.

Q: What advice you would give to other busy parents?

A: Bulk prep whenever you can! If you’re making a meal that freezes well, make a double batch so you have it ready for another time. It doesn’t take you much time to make a double batch of something. Also, plan your meals in advance so you know you will have everything you need.