My Food Journey started when I was cooking at 11 years old.

My mother worked some evenings, so when I came home from school, I followed her written instructions to cook dinner to be ready when she arrived home.

I grew up in Red Hill South on the Mornington Peninsula where fresh produce is everywhere.

My mother and neighbours all enjoyed cooking at home.

My father is a vegetarian, and he grew an enormous garden of vegetables covering half his backyard.

I also enjoy home-cooked meals, and my favourites are roasts, vegetable soups, and Asian-inspired dishes.

One of the first desserts I taught myself to make was a healthy chocolate mousse with only four ingredients: cacao powder, coconut yoghurt, vanilla extract, and maple syrup.