A wee bit about me
I grew up on a farm in Northern Ireland, my Daddy was a farmer and seasonal eating was all we knew. Even as a wee girl I knew that cooking was what I wanted to do when I grew up. I wasn’t one of those children who watched and learned from their Mummy. My Mummy had very little time to spend in the kitchen because not only did she help Daddy on the farm, but she worked on night duty as a sister in the local hospital. Whatever Mummy did bake or cook tho, was always done with love and care. My Grannies and Great Aunts were wholesome cooks, bakers and preservers. The smell of their kitchens with the turf fire in the hearth was always such a wonderful welcome.
From no age I watched and was inspired by my Grannies and Great Aunts baking and preserving in their farmhouse kitchens, living off the land. I loved how cups of tea and a good apple tart could make so many people come together.
When I was 18, almost 19, I left Northern Ireland for London to follow my love of food. After some time working as a medical secretary and a counter girl in a French Delicatessen, I earned enough money to do a 3 month intermediate course at Leith’s School of Food and Wine. I travelled with my new skills and became a private cook and chalet girl before moving on to work for large catering companies in London and later starting up my own.
Starting a family, I moved from London to Hampshire. I had to fit my cooking in around our busy lives and I realised it was important to me to share an understanding of flavour combinations with local, seasonal ingredients. Time is often a luxury and so when feeding family and friends it’s great to have achievable yet impressive and approachable recipes up your sleeve. My recipes cater for all abilities and whether it’s preparing a cosy week night supper or a special get-together with friends, nothing is too difficult or time consuming as long as the prep has been done in advance.