About Us

We love cooking. That’s why, for over thirty years, we’ve been eagerly supplying our fellow food enthusiasts with specialty ingredients, professional cookware, kitchen equipment, culinary books and everything else essential for inspiring and encouraging that love of cooking.

Beginning as a living room mail order business in 1986, the heart of The Essential Ingredient has always been the strong relationships we’ve formed with producers, growers and manufacturers in Australia and internationally.

A team of food lovers ourselves, we search the world for artisans who share our belief that the best cooking starts with the best ingredients, and that it takes passion to create something truly delicious.

Now, with seven stores along Australia’s east coast, an online store that ships to anywhere in the country and an extensive wholesale operation, we’re honoured to not only be invited into Australian home kitchens, but to supply incredible ingredients to many of the country’s most celebrated chefs and beloved restaurants.

Whether you’re a professional chef, an avid home cook, or anyone looking to take their culinary game to the next level, everyone here at The Essential Ingredient is excited to join you on your food journey.

Happy cooking!