We all deserve to eat tasty food

While I’m not a professional chef, it’s fair to say in my 25-plus years in food and hospitality, I’ve learnt a few things along the way and I have two big takeaways – recipes are ideas, not a set of instructions and we all deserve to eat tasty food.

photo of a lot of colourful fruit and vegetables laid out on a bench
photo of strands of pasta on a white bench

Meet the Free Ranging Foodie

Mandy Kennedy is the Free Ranging Foodie. She’s been a barista, bartender, cheesemonger, caterer, gin slinger, regularly cooked paella for 100 people and is a life-long hospo queen.

These days, you can hear Mandy on 774 ABC Radio as the Sunday Mornings ‘Free-Ranging Foodie’, spot her at Queen Victoria Market guiding tours, or read her work with City Larder, Harper and Blohm Cheese Shop, One Hour Our, Broadsheet, Festival 21 and more.

photo of a woman with dark hair wearing a coloufrul top and glasses

Recipes

You enjoy cooking – mostly – and take care about where you source your ingredients. You’re just as likely to buy artisan cheese at a farmer’s market as you are to pop into the local supermarket ‘cause it’s on the way home but now and then you lose their mojo.

You need inspiration for how to cobble together a meal from what’s in the pantry and, just occasionally, you fancy being one of those meal prep people. You want to be reassured by achievable, results-driven recipes and also be inspired to sometimes stretch your comfort zone a little further.

Welcome to the recipe section!

Roasted Beetroot with Chèvre Cream

Roasted Beetroot with Chèvre Cream

Earthy roasted purple and golden beetroots are natural bedfellows to a mellow goats cheese. Leaves of roasted red onion add…

Muesli Cookies

Muesli Cookies

I’m always banging on about how recipes are just a template. These cookies are the perfect example of that. Once…

Halloumi, Grapes & Mint

Halloumi, Grapes & Mint

Halloumi just begs to be grilled or fried and paired with many delicious things. Here it dressed with sweet grapes…

Listen to the Free Ranging Foodie on ABC Radio 774

I enjoy a recurring guest spot on ABC Radio 774 Melbourne on Sunday mornings with Lisa Leong talking about all things food.


Topics free-range all over the place. We’ve covered everything from Gravestone Recipes to What Makes a Great Sandwich as well as Christmas in July and shared our Best Kitchen Tips.

Topics free-range all over the place. We cover everything from Gravestone Recipes to What Makes a Great Sandwich as well as Christmas in July and Best Kitchen Tips.

Blog

Here be monsters! 

Here you will read thoughts on life, the universe and everything in between though mostly about food and travel.

Me, Myself, and a Good Meal

Me, Myself, and a Good Meal

Eating solo means eating however you like and that includes licking the plate. Dining alone isn’t always a delight, but…

Nose to Tail Eats, Wall to Wall Heat

Nose to Tail Eats, Wall to Wall Heat

A St John-inspired birthday feast in high summer - what was I thinking?

What does a cheesemonger do in London?

What does a cheesemonger do in London?

When a cheesemonger visits London, Neal’s Yard Dairy is pretty much up there with the Tower of London and Buckingham…

FREE RANGING FOODIE

© Copyright Amanda Kennedy 2025