From food publishing and recipe development to MasterChef Australia, Karlie Verkerk has spent much of her career exploring the way food brings people together. Now, as founder of Fin., she’s bringing that experience into her own kitchen-inspired creation: a beautifully designed range of sprayable garnishes designed to add a final burst of flavour to everyday cooking.
From food publishing to Fin.
For Karlie Verkerk, food has always been about more than what’s on the plate. Her career has taken her through food publishing, recipe development and MasterChef Australia, each chapter shaping the way she thinks about cooking and flavour.
Her time at Gourmet Traveller taught her to see food as a story, while recipe development showed her how to make cooking accessible and achievable without losing the inspiration. MasterChef, meanwhile, taught her to trust her instincts.
“Food doesn’t have to be complicated to be memorable,” Karlie says. “Often the simplest dish, when it’s made with good ingredients and a clear sense of purpose, is the best.”
That philosophy is at the heart of Fin., the brand Karlie created after a simple kitchen frustration sparked an idea: how could she capture the fresh flavour and aroma of herbs and citrus without the waste and inconvenience that can come with buying fresh produce?
What is Fin. Fragrance?
Fin. is a range of sprayable garnishes made from all-natural ingredients, designed to be used as a finishing touch.
Spritzed over a finished dish, they add a burst of herb, citrus or spice to everything from pasta and roast chicken to salads and steamed vegetables.
“It’s about that fresh, aromatic burst at the very end,” Karlie explains. “Think of it as the finishing touch you might normally get from tearing over a handful of fresh herbs or squeezing fresh lemon or lime.”
The idea began as an experiment, but it wasn’t long before Karlie found herself reaching for the product in her own kitchen. That was the moment she realised it could be more than an interesting concept.
“The more I experimented with it, trying different flavour combinations on different dishes, the more I began reaching for it,” she says. “It was no longer just an idea I thought was interesting; it had become something I actually wanted to have and use in my own kitchen.”
Taking Fin. from the kitchen bench to the table
Taking that idea from the kitchen bench to a finished product was a new chapter for someone accustomed to telling other people’s food stories.
Developing the product, sourcing ingredients and considering how people would use it every day all became part of the creative process. Her husband James has also been central to bringing the idea to life.
“I’m so lucky to have my husband James by my side every step of the way,” Karlie says. “Our skills complement each other perfectly and Fin. wouldn’t have come to life without him.”
Karlie’s food media background has also shaped the visual identity of Fin. Having spent years styling food, developing recipes and considering how dishes are presented, she wanted the product itself to be both functional and beautiful.
The glass bottle was inspired by luxury fragrance, bringing an unexpected sense of elegance to the kitchen. Rather than something to hide away in a cupboard, Fin. was designed to sit comfortably on the bench or at the table.
A first production run that sold out in 24 hours
That combination of practicality and design seems to have struck a chord. The brand’s first production run sold out within 24 hours.
“Honestly, it was pretty surreal,” Karlie says. “When you’ve spent so much time working on something in your own kitchen, there’s always that little voice wondering whether other people will see the same value in it that you do.”
For Karlie, the response confirmed that Fin. wasn’t simply solving a problem in her own kitchen. Other home cooks were looking for the same thing: an easy way to add freshness and flavour without complicating the cooking process.
Finding inspiration in the Tweed
Living in the Tweed has only strengthened her appreciation for simple, produce-led food.
Surrounded by growers, producers, chefs and a community with a strong connection to local food, Karlie says the region has influenced the way she cooks and creates.
“When the produce is this good, you don’t need to overcomplicate things.”
And Fin. is only getting started. With two new products currently in development, the range is set to grow to five by the end of the year. Karlie is also exploring overseas markets and opportunities to introduce Fin. to kitchens around the world.
For now, though, the focus remains on growing thoughtfully and staying connected to the original idea: making everyday food a little more exciting, one finishing spritz at a time.
Discover more from Fin Fragrance at www.finfragrance.com, or follow @finfragrance on Instagram.
From the kitchen bench to the handbag, Fin. brings a little burst of flavour wherever you go. Created by Karlie Verkerk, it’s the finishing touch for everyday cooking.
