Food and I have had a long, incredibly complicated love story.
For years, I chased the elusive “how to get skinny” dream, getting completely lost in punishing crash diets that left me exhausted and uninspired. I viewed the kitchen as a place of restriction rather than a place of joy. Today, Cafe Delites represents my personal liberation from that mindset. Here, we celebrate the absolute joy of eating.
The Story Behind the Screen
Cafe Delites didn’t begin in a boardroom or with a polished plan. It started on my kitchen floor, in the middle of a kind of physical and emotional pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
For years, movement was my oxygen. I was a dance and Zumba instructor who loved what I did with everything in me, until life shifted in the hardest way. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after two long years of searching for answers. Zumba became more than a career then. It was my lifeline, the thing that reminded me I was still here, still fighting. But just as I began finding my way back, endometriosis arrived and forced me to give up dancing completely. Losing that part of myself, especially alongside a history of trauma, felt like everything was slowly being stripped away.
I turned to cooking and food photography as a way to cope, something to hold onto when everything else felt quiet and heavy. As a mother, a wife, and someone trying to keep going, I built Cafe Delites from the ground up, working up to 22 hours a day, 7 days a week, for years. I was relentless. There were days I filmed recipes for millions, then collapsed on the floor in pain between takes. As the site grew, so did the disconnect. To the world, I was creating beautiful, full flavoured recipes. Behind the scenes, I was disappearing.
I was trying to be everything for everyone else, while quietly losing myself. My weight reached 125 kilograms, and I got to a point where I avoided mirrors because I didn’t recognise the person looking back. I had built something incredible, but I had lost who I was in the process.
Now, this journey is about more than recipes or milestones. It’s about finding my way back, piece by piece, and learning that I can’t keep feeding the world if I’m still starving myself.
Experience and Recognition
I am incredibly humbled to see my creations traveling so far. From being featured on platforms like Country Living, Delish, Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, Huffpost, BRIT + CO, Australia Best Recipes, Food Network and Epicurious to chatting about my passion for Zumba on Channel 7’s Today Tonight. It’s been such a whirlwind!
One of my absolute favorite moments was winning the Best Recipes Home Cook Hero Competition. My Lamington French Toast with Raspberry Jam Syrup holds such a special place in my heart, it’s that classic Aussie flavor we love, but with a fun, indulgent twist.
Beyond the kitchen, I’ve had the joy of partnering with brands like Natvia to create my Naughty + Nice E-book (those Banana Bread Blondies are a must try, I promise!), and using my voice to support important causes like the Lymphoma Coalition.
The Comeback
Realizing I was fading away, I made the terrifying decision to step back from the cameras. Over a three year hiatus, I went to war for my own physical and mental health. I lost 55 kilograms, but more importantly, I found the woman I had abandoned. I learned to love myself again.
Surviving stage four cancer and overcoming immense trauma lit a permanent fire inside of me. It taught me one undeniable truth. Life is entirely too short not to enjoy good food.
I am so incredibly grateful you are here. Whether you are here for the famous Deviled Potatoes, the Tomato Soup Mac and Cheese, or just a safe space to connect over our shared journeys, you are welcome at my table.
Thank you for sharing your story and inspiring so many people. I enjoy reading your recipes and sharing with friends. You and your recipes are a part of my home and cooking with family and friends.
Abundant blessings….
Congratulations on your comeback. You look amazing. I am sure the journey was hard especially a lover of food. However your hard work has clearly paid off. Major respect for surviving stage 4 cancer. Wow what a journey you have been on!
I just found your 3-ingredient pancake recipe – Love It!! So convenient for weekend lazy breakfast or quick snack
Wow I’m guilty of getting the recipe and somehow missed your journey. That is awesome! Not things that happened to you-but the fact you seen it and had to get back to the healthy self.
Cancer sucks-glad to hear you obviously got through that piece. Sorry about the trauma but again you focused on the solution and I’m events like cancer help bring a different expectation. And it’s interesting as you’re obviously a beautiful lady and person-but no one sees the journey. Glad I needed your Tina Marsala Recipe (the best in the world) but more important got to learn of an even greater success-finding ourselves.
Great job and good luck and keep doing what you’re doing. You’re both a survivor and a winner-keep up the good work.
Otis
Thank you so much Otis! Much appreciated Xx
I have never seen a cook or chef sitting on a kitchen bench, looking like they are about to go to the opera or a cocktail party. The abbreviated story of your life struggle is heartfelt, nevertheless, there are many others in life who face the same daunting medical challenges and decide to keep their thoughts private and focus on their cooking skills rather than look like a movie star sitting on a kitchen bench, otherwise, one may ask, what is she selling.
I wish you well in your future endeavors, meanwhile, when you get out of bed of a morning, leave your ego under the pillow.
Mate, did you read your comment before posting? You read like a sanctimonious, self-righteous, bloody idiot. To be fair you’re probably utterly oblivious to what that means, as well as how *you* come across. You may want to reflect on your own ego issues. Strewth, just read your words again, insufferably unkind, smug, and foolish.
How did you change your relationship to food?? You worked to lose weight, but that doesn’t happen without effort. You write, “life is too short, not to enjoy good food”, which I agree. However, I unknowingly grew up using food to survive significant loneliness which continued into adulthood. It wasn’t until I was 16 I tried to lose weight for a senior trip in hs.. That did not stay off into college and working. Then lost 70lbs in my mid 20’s which I kept off for 5 years, but then got married, pregnant, and became a SAHM. Staying at home and the return of Major Lonliness and Isolation again left me with poor coping skills and slowly the weight returned.
I’m not losing again and NEVER want to regain off possible as I’m older and need to move/live healthy to enjoy my adult children and time spent with them in their life. Food is so an amazing gift Good gave to us by my relationship with it needs to change. I’d like to enjoy it without regaining weight. What answers have you found in your life? You are a very beautiful woman with an incredible shape, I’d love to be able to to have that success like you!!
Hi Sue, I hear you and I am excited to share everything here.
Thank you for sharing your story, Karina. It is so heartfelt and motivating. Your recipes are always a hit in my household!
Such a beautiful and inspiring about page. Your passion for cooking really shines through in every recipe you post. Can’t wait to try the next one!
I have been following your blog for years and absolutely love your recipes! Your story is incredibly inspiring, Karina. Thank you for sharing your journey and such amazing food with us.
Hola Karina,
I just read about the challenging journey you so bravely are facing nowadays
Please know that I have you in my prayers. You are not alone. God is with you always.
You are a strong woman of solid substance & I so admire your strength and beauty of your luminous soul!🙏💕🙏
Sending you Love & Blessings today & forever!
[email protected] 🙏💕🙏🎶🎼🥰