Multi-award-winning nutritionist & Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef
The nutritionist for foodies. Turning the latest nutrition science into easy, ultra-enjoyable, everyday action, fusing my unique blend of experience as a nutritionist, public health researcher & Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef.
Nutritionist
I graduated at the top of my class with a First-Class Honours degree in nutrition (University of Glasgow, 1997).
Public health researcher
For the next 13 years, I worked in public health research for the NHS, shaping national policy on diet, alcohol, heart health, physical activity and mental wellbeing.
During that time I won the HEBS Postgraduate Scholarship (2002) to study for a Masters in Public Health, graduating with Distinction and the Dr Mackinlay (Anderson College) Prize for the highest academic achievement in my year.
My world-leading research on alcohol showed that Scots were drinking twice the amount our national surveys suggested, triggering worldwide improvements in survey measurement of alcohol and persuading Scottish Government of the need for the bold new policy measures of the last decade, policy measures adopted in many other countries.
Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef
Award-winning, Michelin-star experienced
Always passionate about food, I then immersed myself in the culinary arts for five years, learning from the best in the industry.
I moved to London and retrained as a professional chef at Le Cordon Bleu, the world’s top culinary school.
I went on to work at the then 2-Michelin-starred Sketch in Mayfair, learning from an all-French brigade led by renowned French master chef, Pierre Gagnaire.
Eager to soak up as much knowledge as I could, I staged (cheffy term for interned) with William Curley, four-time winner of Britain’s Best Chocolatier, and Damian Allsop, creator of water-based ganache chocolate.
Jetting off to Washington DC, I studied under Maggie Austin, celebrated US cake designer and sugar flower artist.
Returning home to Scotland, I won two national baking awards:
Scotland’s Best Baker from Home 2014
Scottish Baking Award 2014.
Living my best life with ME/CFS
My approach was born out of my own journey to improve my health.
In 2010, my health started to decline. In 2011, I was signed off work for 6 months, but no one knew what was wrong. Struggling with severe fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, low mood, weird and not so wonderful gastrointestinal symptoms, food intolerances, muscle and joint pain, I remember lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering, ‘What will become of me?’ Not knowing the cause, I felt scared and extremely anxious about my future.
It took until 2016 to get a diagnosis: ME/CFS. Despite affecting over 250,000 people in the UK and around 17 million worldwide, little research into the condition means it’s poorly understood and there is currently no treatment.
Taking matters into my own hands, I fused my expertise in nutrition, research and food to optimise my own diet and health.
Today, I’m living my best life with ME.
I’m here to help you do the same.
