My Culinary Journey
I’ve always believed that delving into a country’s culture and history can be best achieved through its culinary traditions, and the same can be said about understanding people and their stories.
My culinary journey began in childhood, perched on a dining chair, eagerly stirring pots of caramel, or lending a hand in mixing sausage roll mince. I was always a fixture in the kitchen, offering assistance wherever I could. Every week, my mother would bring home Take5 or That’s Life magazines, and I would lose myself in their recipes, meticulously cutting out the ones that piqued my culinary interest. Those cherished recipes found their home in my scrapbook, or rather, a red folder – a memento my mother still holds onto!
Food and the act of cooking have always been my life’s focal point and a heartfelt passion.
In my early twenties, I received the diagnosis of celiac disease. Back in the mid-2000s, the world of gluten-free food left much to be desired, and gluten seemed to sneak into almost every food item. Consequently, I found myself scrutinising ingredient labels, which made me realise that, once you eliminate the preservatives and artificial additives, most store-bought foods can be recreated from scratch using the ingredients at hand.
It was then that my true culinary journey began.
The Beginnings of My Blog
Cooking with Bry is not my first venture into the world of recipe and food blogging. During my mid-twenties, friends constantly sought out my recipes, and a friend suggested that I start a blog. The idea seemed straightforward enough, so I did just that! It initially served as a space for friends and family, featuring humble photos and little else beyond ingredients and instructions.
Yet, I always harboured grander aspirations – can you believe I aspired to be the next Nigella?
Upon relocating to the United Kingdom in 2015, I decided to take a hiatus from writing recipes to adjust to my new life. During that period, I managed a lifestyle and beauty blog where occasional recipe shares occurred, but my dreams of following in Nigella’s footsteps had largely faded into the background.
By 2019, in a pre-pandemic world, I found myself residing in Scotland, where my desire to cook couldn’t be adequately expressed through a mere lifestyle blog. That’s when I launched Cooking with Bry to unleash my culinary creativity fully.
Cooking with Bry
My time in Scotland, a land where winter seems almost perpetual, steered me towards my true cooking style and passion – comfort food. Comfort food, as I’ve come to understand, isn’t always laden with carbs or heaviness; rather, it exudes warmth, happiness, and joy. It’s that serotonin-boosting, heartwarming fare that invites you to sit back, relax, and savour.
Here, you’ll discover recipes that aim to bring you joy, comfort, laughter, and an overall sense of happiness.
In 2022, I returned to Australia after the COVID-19 pandemic border closures, spending a year and a half in Brisbane, the city that seemingly enjoys eternal summer. However, in 2023, after developing an affection for the Mediterranean weather, food, and culture, I found my forever home in Adelaide.
Though back in Australia, my fondness for all things cosy and comforting remains unwavering, despite roasting fewer dinners! My passion for cooking burns as brightly as it did when I was a child, tending to that pot of caramel.
A Bit About Me
I was raised in Sydney, where I was exposed to diverse international food influences, and I relocated to Brisbane at the age of 19. Throughout my twenties, I embarked on travels between these two cities. In 2015, at the age of 32, I made the significant move to the UK, spending a year in London before settling in Glasgow, Scotland. After Covid-related restrictions loosened, I returned to Brisbane in 2022. In 2023 however, I found my forever home in Adelaide and currently reside here with my beloved cat, Rose.
If you’d like to keep up with my adventures, you can follow me on Instagram!