Holly Davis

I remember my astonishment at eating the almost unbearably politically correct food at Iku some years ago - only to discover that it tasted sensational.

English-born Holly Davis was the cook behind that food, and the co-founder of Iku. Today, she is still cooking at her new business, Holly Davis Real Food, which combines home delivery of prepared organic meals with organic catering, cooking classes and event management.

Davis's involvement with organics started early. "I got interested in macrobiotics [a vegetarian dietary regime allied to Zen Buddhism] and with that went organic foods, which were fairly hard to find then. I went fairly zealously in that direction for quite a few years."

A little more relaxed today, Davis is still a keen advocate of a mainly organic diet. "You have the security of knowing everything you eat is safe."

Does it taste better? "I don't buy organic produce because it tastes better - but I do expect it will."

Is it better for you? "My experience of eating a wholefood diet that includes a large proportion of organic fruit and veg is that I'm generally healthier."

Why should I go organic? "Knowing the food you are eating is safe - and better for the environment."

Is it a passing fad? "Absolutely not. It's growing massively. I started my first organic outlet in 1985. At that time it was definitely socks and sandals - but it's just grown and grown."

How do I find organic suppliers?

Get the Organics Directory. Send a 50-cent stamp with your address to Catriona Macmillan, PO Box 3335, Tamarama, NSW 2026.

Where to find organic

Annabel's Natural Food Store, 18 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest, 9906 6099.

Avalon's Organics, 4/25 Avalon Parade, Avalon, 9918 3387.

Cleavers Organic Meat, Store, Shop 6, The Grove, 174-176 Military Road, Neutral Bay, 8969 6982.

http://www.hollydavisrealfood.com

The Earth Food Store, 81a Gould Street, Bondi, 9365 5098.

Macro Wholefoods, 31-35 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction, 9389 7611.

Samthebutcher.com (for all four store locations, go to http://www.samthebutcher.com.au)

TJ's Quality Meats, 319 Darling Street, Balmain, 9810 2911.

This article is reproduced from www.smh.com.au