Well, you’ve heard all about everyone else’s Food Stories so I think it is about time I told you all a bit about mine!

Since a young age, I have been surrounded by good food. My mum is a keen baker who supplies the house with yummy cakes and bakes, and my dad who trained and worked as a chef in his younger years creates the tastiest Sunday lunches. I am from a family of 5 so healthy one-pot wonders and wholesome comfort food filled my childhood and teenage years.

My own awareness and interest in the hospitality industry first began with a waitressing job aged seventeen at The Staunton Arms which was our local country pub. From dropping ice-creams sundaes, to pulling pints and serving at the Staunton Charity Ball, my year and a half as a Staunton waitress transformed me from a shy teenager into a confident, sassy, and self-assured young adult. The laughs, friendships, and Kitchen ‘banter’ gained from Staunton will always stay with me as a fond memory.

Growing up, we have always been fortunate enough as a family to eat out in nice restaurants. From birthdays to weekend treats, dining out has always been something enjoyed by all of the family. For us, eating out wasn’t just about the food, it was the experience of all being together and sharing memories as a family or with a group of friends. Having a personal awareness of the hard work, time and skill that flows into all aspects of hospitality, dining out has always been something I have appreciated greatly. The hard work and effort that comes from a full team working together to cook, create, and serve a delicious plate of food is the main reason behind my creation of this blog.

“I want to give a voice to the people hidden behind the doors of hospitality”.

At the moment, I am in my final year of university at York St John. With my dissertation underway, the end is in sight! Three years at university has been a rewarding experience which has given me a lifetime of memories. This year has been the busiest of them all and the pressure to find my first full-time job as a journalist is both daunting and exciting. However with the loving support from my family, my boyfriend and copious amounts of alcohol… the sky is well and truly the limit!

Unsure if by pure coincidence or through an interest in the industry, my boyfriend is a chef and works in a highly acclaimed York restaurant. His long hours at work, lack of food in the fridge, and desire to always be eating out at the latest (expensive!) restaurant can be seen as testing to some. BUT … through my newfound knowledge of fermentation, the hundreds of food videos watched together, and the weekly updates on how I could improve my cooking (don’t even get me started on mash potato gate!) I would say he’s more than worth it. Having found someone who has such a passion for cooking and food is quite amazing, and has opened my eyes to the many different people who are behind creating a successful plate of food. I think it’s about time someone lifted the lid on such a charismatic, hardworking, and committed group of people to give them a place to share their stories, and give them a time to shine.

E x