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.
Beyond the kitchen, I’ve had the joy of partnering with brands like Natvia and supporting causes like the Lymphoma Coalition.
The Comeback
Life is Too Short Not to Enjoy Good Food
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.
Thanks for cooking ideas.
Hi Karina
I have followed you and your recipes from when you started.
I love the recipes and cook them often. I did a double take when I saw your latest video. You’re looking very well and beautiful as always. Only blessings on you and your family ❣️
Daniella.
Hi Daniella, thank you so much for the lovely message. I am so happy to hear from you and I am humbled to hear you have been following me from the start. I have many new recipes coming soon please enjoy! Xx
All I can say is with your cooks and your looks your husband is a very lucky man ! Your recipes are tantalizing.
Hi Jeff, I am sure he would be if I had one! Xx
Karina, I am touched and amazed by your story. I’m a 55 year old single dad – I raised my 3 kids on my own since they were 7 and 4 years old (yes, 3 kids, 2 ages…I have twins) – and your recipes are some of the staples I’ve used over the years to give my kids delicious and nutritious home cooking. It’s part of what I’m know for as a single dad…being a good cook, but I couldn’t have done it without your recipes (and some from a couple of other trusted sites). They’re 26 and 23 now and I just want to say thank you for persisting and overcoming what you’ve dealt with in life and in turn helping me be the best dad I could be to my kids with your food.
Hi James, Wow. Your message has truly stopped me in my tracks and touched my heart. Thank you so much for taking the time to write and share this with me.
Reading that you raised three beautiful children on your own is nothing short of incredible. What an amazing father you are! As a mum myself, I know the beautiful chaos that comes with raising kids, and my heart is just so full knowing my recipes could be a small part of your journey.
To think of my recipes being staples in your home, helping you create those memories around the dinner table… honestly, that is everything. That is the entire reason I do what I do. It’s stories like yours that keep me going and inspire me every single day.
Thank you for being on this journey with me. Sending so much love to you and your kids! Xx
You are one success story. I am a home cook & baker for 53 years married to the same person. He has Parkinson’s so it’s been quite a trip. Stay well
Hi Sheila. My heart truly goes out to you both on your journey with Parkinson’s. I can only imagine what a trip it has been. Sending you and your wonderful husband an immense amount of love, strength, and a giant virtual hug from my family to yours. Xx
Dear Karina,
You are such an inspiration and example of strength, courage and determination. May God bless you abundantly. I pray your days are filled with all good things that the Lord can provide.
Thank you so much for all these delicious recipes. I can’t wait to get started on fixing many for my husband. He has Celiac, so I’ll be switching out some of the ingredients.
Hugs for the Heart,
Hi Diana, Thank you for the message, I am so blessed to have you and your husband enjoying the recipes, it really warms my heart and makes me so happy! Enjoy cooking Xx.
Hi Karina,
Wow!!! What a transformation!!!! You are incredibly inspiring and your recipes are amazing! I also purchased the book you published and loved all the insights. Keep doing what you’re doing! You are magic! It’s never too late to transform and do what you love! Hugs, Adela Pino
Thank you Adela, So great to hear from you and your wonderful message! Enjoy Xx
Wow!
Hi Karina, Just want to thank you for sharing delicious and fantastic recipes. Wow you are beautiful, may everything good and blessed continue to be with you. Hugs from the heart.
Thank you so much Brenda.
I just started getting your recipes a few weeks ago and there are a lot of them I want to try. You are an amazing women to survive your childhood and Stage 4B Hodgkins Lymphoma. I hope you continue to be healthy.
Hi Gary, thank you for your message, hope you enjoy the recipes! Xx
I have been following you since your beginning! I love all your recipes and your story. Keep on staying strong. I’m in your corner!
Hi Ceci! Thankyou so much for your loyal support for so long! Much appreciated!