How a Michelin-starred chef is redefining baby food pouches

While babies might not realise they’re enjoying a chef-designed meal, their taste buds certainly do.

When you picture a Michelin-starred chef, you might imagine them behind the scenes of a fine dining restaurant – meticulously plating up artful dishes for food critics and well-heeled diners.

What you probably don’t picture? That same chef carefully blending wild-caught salmon and bush basil into a smooth puree… for your baby.

But that’s exactly what Chef Jed Gerrard is doing – and he’s giving baby food a total glow-up.

From fine dining to first tastes

Jed Gerrard’s kitchen credentials are impressive by any standard – think Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, Sydney’s three-hatted fine dining scene, and head chef roles at luxury hotels like COMO The Treasury and The Ritz Carlton in Perth.

Noticing a gap in the market for savoury-led, nutrient-dense options, Jed saw an opportunity to apply his fine dining expertise to something simple yet significant – those first tiny spoonfuls.

Real ingredients, real flavour

That idea became JUCA – a premium range of baby food pouches made with high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients and bold, savoury flavour combinations. Each pouch is made in small batches right here in Australia and skips preservatives, added sugar or salt, and anything artificial.

Instead, parents will find ingredient lists that sound more like a chef’s tasting menu:

• Grass-fed lamb with roasted carrots and native river mint
• 12-hour beef broth with roasted veg and bush tomato
• Free-range chicken with coconut cream, mango and lemon myrtle
• Wild-caught salmon with sweetcorn and Australian bush basil

A savoury-first philosophy

While many traditional baby foods lean heavily into fruit-based blends, JUCA flips the script with a savoury-first approach. The idea? Help babies build a well-rounded palate and a taste for variety from the very beginning.

The recipes prioritise nutrient-rich veggies, legumes, healthy fats like olive and hemp seed oil, and iron-rich proteins to support healthy growth and brain development. Superfoods like chia seeds and kale also make a regular appearance – introducing wholefood goodness from the first spoonful.

Baby food with a difference

While babies might not realise they’re enjoying a chef-designed meal, their taste buds certainly do. The rich flavours and varied textures help encourage adventurous eating habits from the start – something many parents are eager to support.

JUCA is a refreshingly modern take on baby food: one that combines nutritional smarts with culinary flair. It’s made for food-loving families who want to give their little ones a better start – one pouch at a time.

Our top picks from the JUCA food range