JUNE 13th MEETING

The guest speaker at the June meeting was Saori Kojima who is a Melbourne based maker of Japanese sauces. Ms Kojima studied health science at Fuji Women’s University in Sapporo before moving to Melbourne. In Australia she decided to share her knowledge of Japanese cuisine and its health benefits with family and friends, which then became a successful business.

At the meeting Ms Kojima prepared lightly sauteed eggplant with her own Tsuyu sauce, as well as beans which were dressed with sesame seeds.

It was not long before the room was fragrant with mouthwatering aromas. Following the demonstration showing the simplicity of the food preparation and cooking, the members present were then able to taste the eggplant and beans for themselves.

We were then treated to an ikebana demonstration by Thea Sartori, a senior Sogetsu School teacher. 

Thea's four ikebana arrangements followed the theme of "Healthy Living".  

This ikebana featuring aloe, with cherry tomatoes, represented skin health and nutrition.

Dragon fruit is noted for being a low in calories, high in vitamin C and fibre. It is also dramatically beautiful.

Thea was given these flowers by a friend and she reminded us of the importance of relationships to our well-being.

Her "welcoming Ikebana" was composed exclusively of herbs. They can all be used in cooking or in the making of tisanes.

Below are photos of ikebana made by members on the theme of the meeting.

Helen Marriott

Chieko Yazaki

Christopher James

Akemi Suzuki

Beverley Webster

Susan Healey

Swann Lam

Sally Wilkinson

Judy Hajdu

Jenny Loo

Elizabeth Angell

Margaret Leung

13th June 2023