Where did it all start I hear you say… well my grandmother really, then me, then my dog and now my partner. When my Grandmother cooked, no one in the family kept notes or copies of recipes, but we all remember the food and fun. The meals I remember from her live freely in my memories and tastebuds, and I have attempted to reconstruct those delicious meals here. I don’t know the origins of her recipes, perhaps she learnt them from her mother, or from friends she made who also immigrated to Australia back in the days. Hopefully I have done her proud and justice in what I have recreated within these pages. I wish I could make her a meal today and see her reaction. I know what she would have said.

From that stemmed my own enjoyment of making delicious food with raw ingredients and not just from a packet that goes in the oven or microwave. There is nothing like fresh, hot bread, straight out of the oven, or freshly made pasta. Believe me, it isn’t that difficult and your family and friends will thank you for it.

Then there are times in life where you don’t have a lot of direction, so I suggest, at times like that, you get a dog. Dyce was my wonder dog. Although not having much to do with my cooking adventures, he gave me focus.

Now in my ripe old age of 40 something, I have met my sauce queen. She knows how to mix and balance flavours like a magician. I take care of the dough, she takes care of the flavour. A combination that is hard to beat really. So feel free to sit back and flick through these recipes. Take what you will from them, try them and hopefully love them. Oh, and whatever you do, write down your Grandmothers recipes now…