“Eau De Gustation”: Former Masterchef Finalist Launches Edible Food Fragrance

They say the final five per cent of effort in whatever you’re doing is where the magic happens – and the point at which most people say “good enough” and tap out. For many home cooks, including myself, a garnish of fresh herbs, citrus or spice represents the final five. 

“Home cooks don’t always have those things on hand all the time. Herbs are expensive; they don’t last long unless you’re growing them yourself,” says Masterchef finalist and recipe developer Karlie Verkerk. “[A garnish] is such a simple thing, but it can really take a dish from good to great.”

That was part of Verkerk’s inspiration behind Fin, a world-first range of “food fragrances” designed to level up your home cooking when that basil you bought tapped out long before you did.

The other part? “I use perfume every day and wear it religiously. One day I was spraying it on and I thought, ‘Why doesn’t something like this exist for food?’” 

When Verkerk ran the idea of a sprayable garnish past chefs and cooks she knew, they wondered the same thing. She started developing the product herself using various combinations of culinary essential oils. “The first fragrance went through 20 different iterations,” she says. “I used it in my home cooking to see how far it would go and to what extent, how well it paired with different dishes.”

Launched in May, the first batch of Fin’s debut scent of basil, oregano and lemon sold out in 24 hours. The Italian-leaning “eau de gustation” pairs beautifully with pasta, pizza, eggs, grilled chook, salads and even avocado toast. “Anything tomato based works really well,” she says.

Two more fragrances have since joined the range. The Frenchie lime tarragon and pepper fragrance remedies the dilemma of sourcing fresh tarragon year-round, and stuns with seafood and chicken. Meanwhile, garlic, rosemary and thyme slaps on a Sunday roast. 

Fragrances are shelf-stable and don’t require refrigeration. The culinary essential oils are stabilised in flavourless medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil derived from coconuts. It’s the same stuff gym rats use as a pre- and post-workout supplement. 

Fin also looks the part. Each fragrance comes in a chic dark green glass bottle that looks great on the shelf or dining table. Just don’t mix it up with your Calvin Klein and Jimmy Choo, otherwise you’ll smell like a salad and your salad will smell like you. 

Fin is available in 60-millilitre serves ($44), or a discovery set of three ($114), and ships nationally.

finfragrance.com

@finfragrance