Making Kimchi (50 Creations Before 50)

Yesterday I took part in a Kimchi making workshop with the wonderful Alex Carthew who makes my favourite Somerset Kimchi and Kraut. The workshop was held at the beautiful Vallis Farm, which is somewhere I want to spend a lot more time at in the future. So many great things happening there.

Learning to make kimchi is on my 50 creations before 50 list. I turn 50 in October 2026, so I need to inject some more energy into making this list happen because of course, me being me…I also have a 50 before 50 list with many other things on it! It was lovely to learn how to make kimchi at a workshop and enjoy the process with other people.

The sensory experience of making kimchi was a total delight and I really loved the slow pace of it. It reminded me of my childhood kitchen with lentils and beans soaking overnight, homemade bread slowly rising under tea towels and a pot of homemade yoghurt growing away in the corner. Now I’m living without Stef for half the time, this way of living was one of the first things that came to mind when I thought about how I want the solo me part of my life to be, and something I want to share with my children too before they all start leaving home. May they be leaving with the knowledge of how to make kimchi and bread!

My kimchi is now busy fermenting in the kitchen and I’m really excited to try it in a few days time. Fortunately I bought some of Alex’s kimchi, sauerkraut and her incredible crackers to keep me going until then.

I loved Alex’s teaching and her sharing of knowledge and stories. The workshop was both relaxing and productive, and now I have a new skill to use. I hope she runs more workshops with other fermenting goodness! If you are in or near Frome, I highly recommend you attend one too.