Despite the consistent assumptions that my mother ‘must have been a great cook’ the fact is she was no whiz in the kitchen. I didn’t grow up with bells and whistles in food, I didn’t even recognise that food could be more than sustenance until early adulthood.
It wasn’t until I got married that I really explored the art that is cooking. As newlyweds my husband George and I would love to throw dinner parties, in which I would test and try recipes to impress my friends. I fell in love with many chefs and would trust in their skill to teach and help me improve my own cooking.
I became obsessed with Better Homes & Garden’s watching it religiously just to indulge in the beautiful recipes Belinda Jeffery had to share. I would waste no time running to my local newsagent to get my hands on the latest magazines that showcased all her wonderful work and instructive recipes.
At the time I write this, my daughter, Samantha is 28. It was her first birthday where Belinda’s recipes took a hold on my cooking style. I still remember the eggplant and ricotta rolls I had made (thanks Belinda) which were an absolute hit. Still to this day, that recipe is a staple in our household. My son especially (an outspoken hater of eggplant) is amongst those who adore this meal. I actually made this recently and sent an update to the wonderful Belinda Jeffery on Instagram. She was lovely enough to reply how she had funnily enough forgot about this classic recipe, a recipe that has never been forgotten by my own family. It’s the small things like this that happen in life that make us realise how much of an effect you can have on others and others can have on you. That is why I’m writing this today, I want to share how beautiful life can be in the smallest and simplest ways.
28 years ago Belinda Jeffery was the inspiration to my exploration of cooking and 28 years later I was lucky enough to meet the wonderful woman herself at her book signing.
My daughter-in-law mentioned something to me, something I hadn’t paid much attention to before. She explained how marvellous she thought it was that at the cusp of my cooking journey was Belinda’s inspiration and throughout my life until now I have followed, supported and loved her works. She mentioned how it was almost like I had travelled full circle, beginning my journey with Belinda’s influence and now at the peak of my own cooking career having been able to converse with her online and meet her in person.
For me, meeting Belinda was not just meeting a life-long inspiration (even though she was/is) for me, meeting Belinda was an insight on how far I have truly come as a cook. Its more on the scope that Belinda has always felt like a friend to me, someone who has helped and supported me throughout all my trials and tribulations. And now when I am confidently accomplished she has even commended my work.
I write this today, to show my gratitude to this wonderful human. I hope that one day I can inspire those around me, a fraction of what you did to me.
All my love, Freda
This is sooo beautiful. The power food has is nothing short of magical.
So glad you could have you time time to meet Belinda 😍
And Freda, everything you cook is absolutely spectacular ⭐️