Crowdfunded the Fire Kitchen
My second crowdfunding campaign ran in September-October 2016 and sought to raise £1,000 to fund the purchase of a smoker and the construction of a “Fire Kitchen” for my restaurant, Gloucester Studio. The campaign was successful and I raised £1,235.
Started Wild Cookery Lessons
In May 2016 I ran my first wild cookery lesson. The idea is that I’ll teach a group of friends how to cook over real wood fire at a location where they’d like to cook in future (most commonly, in their garden. I bring all equipment and ingredients to cook a meal not just for them but for any family and friends who wish to join them.
Published The Pyromaniac Chef Cook Book
In September 2015 I successfully crowd funded my first book: The Pyromaniac Chef Cook Book. My team and I worked to a somewhat crazy deadline and photographed, edited and produced the book in just two months.
Launched Pyromaniac Chef
In May 2015 I decided that I wanted to focus on food and decided to call myself the Pyromaniac Chef. My main objective was to get my restaurant Gloucester Studio past pop-up status to become an official Gloucester restaurant (this was finally achieved in April 2016) but there were to be lots of fun projects. I created a candle called ‘Sweet Bonfire’ which smells like sandalwood, coffee and toasted marshmallows and began drafting ideas for a cook book.
Opened Gloucester Studio
In November 2014 I had the idea of opening a restaurant from the Kota Hut in my back garden. I sent a press release and upon getting a really positive response, opened my doors. My first customers came through the door of Gloucester Studio in January 2015.
Travelled to Turkey
In September 2011 I spent a fortnight travelling around Turkey after my fiancé suggested I have a last big adventure before settling down (we got married that December and I found I was pregnant with our son early in 2012). I had an incredible time visiting Istanbul, Pammukale, Ephesus and Cappadocia and fell in love with the country and its amazing food.
Lived in Malaysia
I moved to Kuala Lumper for practical reasons. I was doing PhD on Malaysian Political Economy and in the aftermath of a relationship breakup it was an affordable place to live which made sense given I needed to do fieldwork there. But I fell in love hard. I’m happily settled in the Cotswolds but I’ll never be 100% at home in the UK again and I rather like that.
Filmed Masterchef and got to the Semi-Finals
Masterchef was terrifying but since it’s about as scary an activity I can imagine so I’m a far braver person as a result of doing it.