Baking was something that I picked up whilst recovering from kidney and pancreas transplants that I received in 2011. I picked up a book about macarons and figured that they looked simple enough. I am legally blind, so this was a bigger challenge than I had realised, but managed to not just nail my first attempt, but consistently get them right and that was it, I'd found my passion!
I took this passion all the way to reality TV, as a contestant on season 1 of Zumbos Just Desserts in 2016, and a step further the following year by formally training as a pastry chef. During my training, I broke my hand which nearly stopped my new career before it had even started, and it was during this time that the idea of supporting people in similar situations to my own popped into my head, and I found my purpose in my charity, The Sweetest Gift.
What is your business mission?
The mission of The Sweetest Gift is to support transplant recipients and people living with chronic illnesses, many of whom suffer from social isolation, mental health issues and financial disadvantage due to the changing and sometimes unpredictable needs of their health conditions. Our primary focus is to create a stable, understanding and socially inclusive workplace - a social enterprise dessert restaurant - the first of its kind in Australia, where these people will be able to work in a range of roles and disciplines that suit their needs, wants and abilities.
