About Me

I used to live with a harsh and unforgiving internal narrative - one built on strict food rules, all-or-nothing thinking, and the relentless belief that I was never enough. My self-esteem was fragile, my imposter self-image constant, and beneath the polished exterior was a quiet ache that followed me everywhere. I did the inner work, seeking help from mental health professionals to understand these patterns and learn how to soften my relationship with myself.

On camera, everything gleamed. I smiled, created beautiful food, and lived in the glow of accolades - yet privately, I often felt isolated, burdened by the very perfection I projected. Winning the second season of MasterChef South Africa marked the beginning of a decade of storytelling through food. In that kitchen, I discovered that when things became difficult, I naturally turned toward the wisdom of those who came before me. It flowed through me - guiding my instincts, shaping my intuition, and teaching me to trust what felt right in each moment.

After the win, my narrative around food revolved around pleasure, performance, and perfection. But with time, that lens shifted. In 2016, I started running, and something inside me changed. The exquisite tasting menus and wine pairings that once defined my world no longer supported the way I wanted to live. I stopped asking only what tasted good and began asking what truly nourished me. That single question became the genesis of something deeper - a more authentic and purposeful way of being.

My curiosity led me to study nutrition through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and later, to complete a Master of Science in Psychology. I became captivated by the question of why people behave the way they do - how our experiences, painful and joyful, shape our choices and our relationships - including the one we have with food. 

Life may never be entirely free of stress, but when we learn to name it, we create space to change it. And in that awareness, we find the power to live with intention, rather than drifting through life in a numbed, disconnected haze.