In 1996 I started my apprenticeship
as a Chef in Byron Bay. I continued
my training in Wollongong and
completed my trade at Ayers rock
with a view to travel.

I landed in London after exploring the Middle East and applied for a job at Montes.

inspiration..

My interview was with Ben O'Donahue, I definitely wasn't employed on my skill, it was all personality and it helped being an Aussie in that place!

I had the most amazing time working at Montes for 18 months with top quality produce and chefs. The brilliant combo of Ben and Jamie Oliver introduced me to a world of exciting recipes, cook books, cooking programs, food styling, and more experiences than any young Chef could dream of. The boys introduce me to amazing people and taught me how to work smart in this trade as well as how to have a damn good time.

I returned home to Australia for a break and a family wedding. This worked out beautifully with Jamie's “Jamie Oliver Live” Aussie tour, on which I was his home economist. During this tour, I helped Jamie prepare a dinner in conjunction with Luke Mangan at 'Salt' in Sydney. After a fun 6 weeks with Jamie and crew, I made the decision to head back to the U.K. Jamie kindly offered to sponsor me so I could continue my food journey overseas.

Whilst waiting for my 4 year work
permit to be processed, Jamie organised some work for me with Luke Mangan, testing all the recipes and assisting food styling for his cook book “Luke Mangan Food”.    

We hit a few brick walls with the sponsorship to the U.K. Luke's book was complete so I decided to head back to London to tackle the red tape over there. It is only now that I remember that at this point my general health wasn't the best prior to finding a small lump in my armpit.

all change...

Routine checks and tests diagnosed it to be Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

It was now February 2003, instead of heading overseas my world was turned up side down. I now had to face CANCER, a halt to my exciting cosmopolitan lifestyle, and a world of chemotherapy, radiation and some heavy duty decision making.

At home with Mum and Dad in Byron Bay , I took my time to research the disease and my options. I ended up on the Sunshine Coast QLD to begin my journey back to physical, chemical and emotional health. I decided against the conventional course of treatment, opting to help my body heal itself. My new lifestyle now consisted of clean living, organic food, chiropractic care, and emotional healing.

grateful.

sister...

This bumpy journey has bought me to where I am today. To “SISTER”, my own organic cafe which enables me to live the lifestyle a healthy body requires and to continue my great love: cooking.

'Sister' has been open since January 2005 and is getting stronger and stronger, soon to be expanding. She is nestled in the beautiful, lush hinterland of the Sunshine Coast where we are able to source at least 70% of our produce direct from our local organic farmers. Often we are able to serve produce for lunch that has been picked that morning. I am honoured to have been embraced by a community so eager to share both their produce, recipes, their journeys with cancer and a little of their lives with me. In return I hope to provide a fun, warm place for them to enjoy fresh organic food with friends whilst supporting our local farmers.

Cosmopolitan to compost, the journey continues...