About Ember & Ash

Stories from the kitchen, flavour philosophy, and the cook behind the recipes

Matt in the kitchen

Meet Matt

I'm not a trained chef. I'm a home cook who fell in love with the ritual of cooking—the sizzle of garlic in olive oil, the way a slow braise transforms tough meat into something tender and sublime, the quiet satisfaction of a perfectly risen loaf.

Ember & Ash started as a personal journal of recipes I wanted to remember—dishes I'd cooked for friends, meals that marked special occasions, late-night experiments that turned out better than expected. Over time, it evolved into something more: a celebration of flavour, storytelling through food, and the belief that cooking is one of the most generous things you can do.

Based in Australia, I'm inspired by local produce, native ingredients, and the incredible diversity of culinary traditions that shape our food culture. Every recipe here has been tested, tweaked, and tasted multiple times. Some are quick weeknight solutions, others are slow weekend projects. All of them are worth your time.

— Matt

Get in Touch

Have a question, recipe suggestion, or just want to say hello? I'd love to hear from you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Ember & Ash

You're welcome to share recipes with proper attribution and a link back to Ember & Ash. Please don't copy the entire recipe verbatim—instead, share your own take or adaptations and credit the original source. Let's keep the culinary community generous and collaborative.

Occasionally, yes—but only if it aligns with the values and aesthetic of Ember & Ash. I'm selective about partnerships and prioritise authenticity over everything. If you have a collaboration idea, use the contact form above to get in touch.

Because cooking isn't one-size-fits-all. Baking demands precision—exact measurements, temperatures, and timing. But a braise or stir-fry is more forgiving and allows for improvisation. I tailor each recipe to match the technique, giving you structure where it matters and freedom where you can experiment.

While Ember & Ash currently focuses on my own tested recipes, I love hearing about what you're cooking. Share your creations on social media and tag the site—I regularly feature reader cooks in our community highlights. Who knows, collaborations might happen in the future.

Think of it as a mood-based recipe recommender. Rather than searching by ingredient or cuisine, you adjust sliders for energy, comfort, adventure, and indulgence—and the algorithm suggests a recipe that matches your current vibe. It's experimental, playful, and designed to help you discover recipes you might not have clicked on otherwise.

Join the Table

Weekly recipes, kitchen stories, and culinary inspiration delivered to your inbox