I grew up on a sheep and beef farm in the foothills of Mt Holdsworth in the Tararua Ranges, learning all about work ethic and how to love and respect food.
It all seems so natural to me, where food comes from, but I see the need to reconnect the urban and rural communities with the farms and growers that produce our food. Everyone needs to know where their food comes from and how to feed themselves well.
Seeking out the freshest and most nutritious produce, along with growing what I call “a trail and error vegetable garden” and as many fruit trees as can fit in my patch of land inspire me to cook simple food that is flavour-forward – the starting place for all my recipes and images.
What else… my work can be found in Nourish Magazine, on the Beef + Lamb New Zealand website, and recipes and images on The Outstanding Producer Awards website, as their food editor.
My work has been seen in the New Zealand Herald, over 600 recipes now can be found on Eat Well, and more recently I edited the award-winning The RNZ Cookbook.
A past president of Food Writers NZ and now have been made a life member.
In 2024 was named one of 50 most influential and inspirational women in food and drink in New Zealand.
Latest project – The New Zealand Food Communicators Scholarship.
A not-for-profit charitable trust giving two emerging food communicators each year, a three-month scholarship with the purpose to educate and inspire. We provide in person and online support and mentorship sessions and workshops that foster career development within the food communication industry in New Zealand.
Photograph credit: Anna Kidman