My love of food undoubtedly stems from my grandparents. They travelled the world and had experienced a wide variety of food. Every visit to them in London involved a restaurant visit and the opportunity to sample all sorts of cuisines. As a child, I lived in various places throughout the UK and each area has a special food memory – tea loaf and parkin with a strong cup of tea in West Yorkshire, barfi Indian sweets at Diwali in Manchester, stottie cakes in Newcastle and uncountable curries in Brick Lane, London.
My mother insisted that my brother and I would at least be able to make staple foods and our introduction to baking and cooking started quite early. I still remember the joy of standing on a chair in kitchen with a too long apron dangling while we ‘magicked’ up pleasing smells and tastes. I still love producing something amazing from a seemingly ‘empty’ cupboard. Nowadays, I love a weekend spent with my own kids standing on chairs, licking bowls and spoons and producing delightful bakes and makes.
Bread especially appeals to me as it is so varied – throughout the world – from a basic recipe to keep people fed to wonderful flavoursome creations for special occasions and celebrations.
I come from an arts administration background. From looking after the day to day administration for various theatre companies, through to acting as an agent for over 100 outdoor arts performers (from street magicians to aerialists). My love of theatre and performance has always run alongside my love of food. Both can make and build connections and build communities. Both also provide unequivocal joy.
I moved to Exeter just over 10 years ago from London with my partner (now husband) after making a list of requirements – a theatre, a cinema, decent Sunday lunch pubs, excellent coffee shops, and access to good food. Exeter has not let me down in the slightest and in fact has encouraged me to explore lots of different food events and also locally sourced, seasonal, food more than ever before. I’m passionate about my One Mile Bakery because it brings all my passions together in a place I love living in.