For as long I can remember I have been passionate about food, my earliest memories are peering over the kitchen counter as my mum cooked dinner to picking fresh green beans, ripe tomatoes and fragrant oranges in my grandparents’ garden. This innate interest led me to pursue food science at university, curious about the biological and chemical processes beyond what I could see, smell and taste. We learnt about the composition and structure of food; preservation, processing and safety. We explored the sensory perception of food and learned to develop and design food products focusing on the reciprocity between nutrition, sensory, shelf stability, processing techniques, cost, regulatory practices and convenience to the consumer.

I love the precise, scientific nature of baking, it’s so satisfying seeing chemical transformations happen in the oven, whilst also fulfilling my creative instincts by decorating and garnishing. Cooking is also about those molecular interactions, but comes with more freedom in finding the best combinations of flavours and textures and adapting as a dish develops. Food is so much about community, eating together is the original human experience, no matter how simple or fancy the food or setting the ritual is the same. Here I share with you some things I have made recently for my loved ones in my community.