From the minute I could chew, I fell in love with food. If you asked me what my favourite food was when I was three years old I would have answered, everything! I can remember going to the local fish and chip shop and unlike every other child who would order battered calamari and chips, I would order grilled scallops with a side of sauteed mushrooms. My mum never had to turn to the Women’s Weekly Cake Book because all I wanted for my birthday was a whole mud crab that my parents would dress up with a bow thrown on its head and birthday balloon in its claw.

I have learnt everything I need to know about cooking from the two most important people in my life, my Spanish & Sicilian mum and my late Sicilian Nana. Food is something that has always brought us together, either that be by rolling croquettes on Christmas Eve, making a Paella feast for family gatherings or enjoying a pasta for mid-week dinners.