The Simple Joy of Sharing Food

My love for food began long before I ever wrote down a recipe. Growing up in suburban Melbourne as the daughter of Maltese migrants, our home was always filled with the smell of something delicious. My parents grew so much of their own produce — vegetables, herbs, fruit trees — and what we didn’t eat ourselves was shared with neighbours and extended family. Food wasn’t just nourishment; it was a way of connecting, of giving.

My passion for baking was sparked early too. Both Mum and Dad loved to cook — Dad was especially known for his Sunday scones — and I was lucky enough to have aunties living nearby who were always ready with something sweet. Auntie Georgina, in particular, was famous for her cake tin, which somehow was never empty.

Those early days taught me that food doesn’t need to be complicated to be beautiful. I’ve carried that with me ever since. I cook what I love to eat — simple, fresh food made with care, often in generous abundance, and always to be shared.

So whether it’s a loaf of bread straight from the oven, a comforting tart on a rainy afternoon, or a tray of biscuits cooling on the bench, my hope is that you’ll feel inspired to make it your own — to cook with joy, share freely, and keep things wonderfully uncomplicated.