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.
I’ve always enjoyed preparing food but really began to explore the kitchen eight years ago. I still remain hesitant to refer to myself as cook but I continue to learn by watching cooking shows and seeking out new recipes. I don’t remember when I found you but I am very glad I did! Thank you for sharing so many delicious ideas! Peace …
Hi Tim, Thank you so much for your incredibly sweet message! It makes me so happy to hear you’re enjoying the recipes. If you love preparing food, you are absolutely a cook! I’m so glad you found me! Hope you continue to enjoy cooking! Xx
Hi Karina.
I purchased some fresh figs and wanted to do something with them other than eat them as is. I plugged in oatmeal and figs and your site popped up. There were others but yours intrigued me. I made the oatmeal with figs and chose not to use honey but a sugar substitute and some cinnamon. The oats with figs is absolutely divine. This is a keeper! There is no guilt with eating healthy, flavorful, and good. I’ll try some of your other recipes and let you know how they turn out. You already have some of my favorites like Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, and Chicken Cacciatore.
Amazing to hear Thelma, so happy you enjoyed the fresh fig oatmeal! Thank you for your feedback! Xx
Thank you for all of your recipes. Your site is one of my favorites. I mostly love the fact that you don’t waste time talking about your kitchen and asking us to listen to your first time making the dish. You show the dish being prepared with the understanding that we know what you are doing without unnecessary commentary. If you could make some suggestions for side dishes. Thank you very much.
Hi Thomas! Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. I am thrilled to hear this news! Thank you for the excellent suggestions about the side dishes, watch out for my next video with some suggestions. Enjoy Cooking! Xx
My first commeny here,
I saw your beautiful website and I am intrested.
Hi Jackie, glad to hear it! I have spent a long time updating the site! Enjoy cooking! Xx
Your Uruguayan chimichurri recipe is the best I’ve had, the only one I use. No cilantro, no lime juice, no processor! And I liked the story about your papa growing up in Uruguay grilling churrasco with chimichurri! Generally recipe’s for me are suggestions, modifiable based on what you have and like or don’t like, this one I follow precisely! Thank you!
I have made your fluffy pancakes for a few years now for my boys. My youngest is turning 10 tomorrow and asked for “Daddy’s pancakes” for his special day breakfast. These are so delicious there are never any left over.
Hi Chris, Oh, that just melts my heart! Happy 10th birthday to your son! I absolutely love that they are “Daddy’s pancakes” now. That’s the best compliment ever. Xx
I love all your recipes, especially the creamy garlic butter tuscan shrimp.
Thank you Michelle! I am so happy to be sharing them with you! Xx
I admire your encouragement. After all you have been through, your heart wants to share. Your recipes are amazing. Pancakes! Your story is still being written. You’re beauty is deceiving of your past.
tried a lot of your recipes, all got rave reviews
Thanks
Karen (Canada)
Thank you so much Karen! All your comments have made my day! Enjoy cooking! Xx
What a wonderfully skilled cook you are.Your recipes fill my kitchen with aromas of LOVE. Always keep in mind food is love and joy.YOU have enriched and touched many people with your recipes.Thank You..Bon Appetit!!
Hi Bradley! Thank you so much for your comment! It brings me so much joy to be hearing your kind words as that is what cooking and food preparation is all about. Love and joy! Happy cooking Xx
I am always waiting for your recipes and I make lots of them. I am glad you beat cancer, you are brave wonderful lady. Thank you for sharing your recipes and your journey. Keep strong, happy and healthy.
Rudy
Hi Rudy, Thank you very much for the message! Xx