New Idea Food is your go-to for easy recipes the whole family will love – think quick weeknight dinners, healthy meals, budget-friendly ideas, dreamy desserts, and plenty of dishes worth pulling out for guests.
Every recipe is developed and tested in the New Idea Test Kitchen, so you can trust it’ll actually work the first time you make it. You’ll also find step-by-step how-to guides, handy cooking tips, and all the latest food trends – whether you’re just starting out in the kitchen or you live and breathe food.
From classic family favourites to recipes straight from your favourite celebrity chefs, we’re here to make everyday cooking a little easier, a lot tastier, and genuinely inspiring. Trusted by Australians since 1902.
But none of it would happen without the talented team behind New Idea Food — so let’s introduce them…
Meet the New Idea Food team
Karen Buckley, Managing Food Editor
Growing up, Karen’s formative years were defined by cooking and baking alongside her loved ones. Since then, she’s turned this lifelong passion into a career, with an acquired 30 years of experience in leading test kitchens, developing the recipes you know and love. Across the New Idea, New Idea Food, Woman’s Day, Take 5, and That’s Life digital and print brands, she develops enough recipes in a year to last you 365 days (not that we’re counting). And with a TAFE Home Economics Certification under her belt, her dedication to creating healthy, affordable and delicious food has always been at the centre of the recipes she creates. And for Karen, this also applies to her own meal-planning repertoire at home: she’ll avoid buying processed products, instead incorporating fresh wholefoods where she can.
Jane Ash, Food Editor
Jane’s love of food began at a young age and led to her studying home economics at TAFE before embarking on a career in food media and TAFE hospitality teaching that has spanned over 30 years. Today, as a Food Editor across New Idea, New Idea Food and Woman’s Day, she’s all for sharing fresh, delicious and achievable recipe ideas, plus the tricks of the trade so everyone can experience the joy of cooking. Attaining a certificate in Nutrition and Diet from Beck Health & Nutrition, Jane has a sound knowledge of the role a wholesome diet plays in overall health and wellbeing, and a growing interest in developing recipes for those on special diets. A believer in everything in moderation, her love of food extends to sweet treats too, especially cakes and desserts, of which she’s developed hundreds while working in numerous leading magazine test kitchens. She knows she’s in the right job when she finds herself still dreaming up new creations to share and inspire others.
Lara Carlucci, Editorial Assistant
Lara is an Editorial Assistant to Managing Food Editor Karen Buckley for New Idea, New Idea Food, Woman’s Day, Take 5, and That’s Life, and an Assistant and Writer for Diabetic Living. With a Bachelor of Media (Communications & Journalism), a Bachelor of Arts, and a Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences (Honours), she’s always nurtured a passion and love for writing in whatever form it takes, wanting to share stories that matter. Food is her second love: shaped by her Italian heritage, and the countless large family gatherings that are always comprised of wholesome, generous meals prepared by loved ones. If not around the banquet table, she’ll take every opportunity to sample Sydney’s endless supply of cuisines – having visited over 70 food joints in the last year alone!
Our latest issue
There’s nothing better than gathering around the table with comforting home-cooked meals in winter. This issue is filled with budget-friendly family favourites, from delicious mince recipes and slow-cooker classics to hearty bakes, nourishing superfood dishes and irresistible sweet treats. We hope it inspires plenty of cosy moments in the kitchen this season. Available at supermarkets and newsagents. RRP $10.99.
Read more about New Idea’s Editorial Code of Practice here.
