It’s been 2 months – and I’m again. A lot has occurred!
2 months in the past, I took a break from publishing new recipes on this web site, confessing that I used to be burnt out. I wanted the time to recalibrate, get up to the mark and resolve how I used to be going to alter issues so I might transfer ahead with a greater work-life stability so I can proceed doing what I do *endlessly* with out burning out once more. As a result of I adore it, and I by no means need to cease!
I didn’t get various days off right here and there, however not creating, writing up, photographing and filming new recipes freed up lots of my time. So life’s been busy, however manageable, and importantly, I discovered my fun-spark once more and made some optimistic modifications. Right here’s what’s occurred!
Higher Properties & Gardens TV present
SO EXCITING!!! We had Johanna Griggs from the beloved TV present Higher Properties & Gardens spend a day with us to movie numerous points in a “day within the lifetime of”. We began on the building web site that’s my home-to be:
We then moved onto RecipeTin Meals (“RTM”, my foodbank) the place we confirmed Joh our kitchen and she or he obtained to see first hand the workforce making and packing a whole bunch of meals!
We even obtained Joh to assist with the packing. I assumed she was a bit stingy with the garnishes. JB thought she was a bit gradual. Perhaps they’ll pace her up within the edits. 😂
And the ultimate cease was my mom’s home, the place we wrapped gyoza collectively then sat all the way down to get pleasure from a Japanese feast:
It was an enormous and lengthy day, with lots of shifting elements, nicely over 40 individuals concerned within the day, from the tradies on the development web site, to my workforce at RTM, my RTE employees working behind the scenes serving to on the day, in addition to in fact the great BHG crew.
However SO MUCH FUN! All of us assume Joh Griggs ought to run for PM. Sensible as a whip. All people loves her.🥰
Talking of my house
It began out as a bit of kitchen renovation.
It’s developed right into a head-to-toe heritage home restoration. 😩 Each stone upturned revealed one other set of issues, from termite injury requiring the whole removing of all of the flooring and joists all through the entire home, to putting in a whole new stormwater system all through the entire property to interchange the non-existent one, and rewiring the entire home.
Proper at this second, I’m in a little bit of denial, simply coping with one downside at a time, placing on a poised calm facade (OK, that’s a blatant lie, there have been dismal wails aplenty). And feeling fortunate that I’ve a workforce I can belief so we will work by way of these challenges collectively, and that we have now an excellent line of communication with the native council.
I additionally know that it was not a sensible choice, selecting a run down heritage home as my new house. Reality is, I fell in love with the thought of a house full of character and I used to be determined to maneuver out of the workplace (after 9 years of it, I used to be completed!). So I didn’t do sufficient analysis. I used to be ready to do a good quantity of works to repair it. I didn’t anticipate each inch of the home – each blade of grass, each slate tile on the roof, each gutter – to want full restore or alternative.😭
Onwards. No extra complaining! I introduced this on myself.
My motley crew – Staff RecipeTin
Thrilling information on the workforce entrance!
Chef JB is again at HQ!
JB, our RecipeTin group head chef, was seconded to RecipeTin Meals for the previous yr to assist optimize the brand new kitchen, increasing meal manufacturing from 500 to 600 every day, and tripling the meal selection we provide.
Although usually pulled into particular RTE initiatives, he’s now again full-time! His return lightens my workload and brings top-tier “cheffy high quality” to all the pieces – from fast meals to tougher dishes that retains issues attention-grabbing round right here (Singapore Chilli Crab, anybody? 😊).
It additionally opens up the alternatives for us to do enjoyable issues like pop ups and stay cooking exhibits. So glad he’s again – and excited for the yr forward!
New kitchen hand at RTM!
And in associated thrilling information, we have now a brand new member at workforce RTM – meet Harry!
Harry simply began with us yesterday, changing JB at RTM. I’m not certain that Harry anticipated his first day in his new job to finish with an enormous picture of his face on my web site! He was additionally fairly shocked that we welcomed him with cake and a balloon on his first day. 😂
MEET DENELLE, MY NEW ASSISTANT!
Yaaaay!! I’ve a proper hand girl!
The seek for Denelle was definitely an expertise. Anticipating solely maybe 100 candidates resulting from location limits, I deliberate to to the recruiting myself – till over 2,000 purposes flooded in. All people needs to work with Dozer! 🦮
Overwhelmed, I shortly realised I’m not constructed for recruitment (I’d’ve employed 48 out of the primary 50 who utilized 😅).
Enter Est 10, a specialist recruitment agency that made the method seamless with their unbelievable effectivity, professionalism, and private contact. Their experience turned a frightening job right into a pleasure, and I met some actually distinctive candidates alongside the best way. Which brings me to my subsequent level:
An enormous thanks to everybody who utilized!
To everybody who took the time to use, thanks so very a lot. The response was actually overwhelming, and I used to be blown away by the unbelievable expertise, ardour, and enthusiasm that was obvious in so many purposes.
I understand how a lot effort goes into placing your self ahead for a job, and I need you to know that each utility was reviewed by a recruitment specialist and never a machine. If I might have employed extra of you, I completely would have!
Wishing you all the most effective in your careers, and who is aware of – our paths could cross once more sooner or later!
RecipeTin Meals Information
There’s all the time happenings at RTM!
torrential rain injury
We had a ceiling collapse and water pouring into the kitchen about 6 weeks in the past throughout sudden torrential rains. It occurred in the course of the day when the workforce was proper in the course of the prepare dinner.
Due to the fast pondering of the workforce, we misplaced little or no inventory to water injury. That is Stephen, the pinnacle chef at RTM, saturated from head to toe after diving underneath the waterfall to save lots of what he might:
Amazingly, we solely had in the future we couldn’t prepare dinner. And we nonetheless managed to supply meals as we maintain a stash of frozen meals for such emergencies so we had been nonetheless in a position to present our every day meals.
We elevated our meals to 600!
And on the subject of the meals we make – we elevated our meals to 600 per day, up from 500! This equates to 156,000 meals per yr – that’s lots of hungry tummies stuffed!
We’ve progressively elevated meals since shifting into our present kitchen, growing by 50% from 400 to 600. Partially resulting from new gear which allows us to prepare dinner at scale extra effectively, and partially resulting from proceed enchancment in workflow efficiencies.
I’m so happy with my workforce, these working at RTM who make the meals occur daily, and people engaged on the RTE aspect of the enterprise that makes RTM potential (as a result of the revenue we earn on the RTE aspect is what funds RTM). We haven’t hit the ceiling but. There’s extra to come back, extra meals assist we will supply!
My guide launched within the Netherlands!
The primary non-English version of my guide, Vanavond (Dutch for this night), launched within the Netherlands final week – so thrilling! Any Dutch readers round? Get it right here!
However I had a bit of mix-up when asserting it – “I’m within the Netherlands!” I posted on Fb, solely to have individuals eagerly ask the place I’d be signing books. 😂 Needed to shortly make clear – it’s my guide that’s there, not me!
Launch of Incomes Energy
I used to be honoured to be featured as a case research in Incomes Energy by Roxanne Calder, founding father of Est 10 recruitment. The guide explores closing the gender pay hole and is a worthwhile useful resource about maximising earnings potential, and our lined my company profession in addition to the journey of constructing RecipeTin.
I used to be so pleased to see Incomes Energy so nicely obtained at launch and admire Roxanne’s dedication to empowering ladies – with out diminishing males. Truthfully, my mentors within the company world had been males.
PS: I couldn’t match a single cupcake in that itty-bitty bag. Therefore my love for large luggage!
You’re caught up!
And that. my buddies, (largely) catches you up on the happenings of the final 2 months.
For me, the 2 greatest issues that can change the best way ahead is having an assistant once more – simply having an additional pair of arms round has been an prompt assist – and JB coming again to HQ. I’ve caught up on sleep, life admin, I’ve been in a position to spend extra time at RTM (which I actually get pleasure from doing, I identical to being there), and simply usually getting a greater work-life stability.
I’m even going to attempt to drop all the way down to 4 days per week for the subsequent short while (I do know, gasp, shock, horror!!).
That is perhaps a bit of bold, however one will need to have objectives!
Importantly although, I’m recharged, again to my chirpy self, and impressed to get again within the kitchen once more. Right here’s to an excellent the rest of 2025 full of scrumptious new recipes! – Nagi x
Lifetime of Dozer
A handful of pictures and nothing new. Nonetheless thinks each steak has his identify on it:
At all times my shadow within the kitchen:
Substantial pool time (although his days of leaping into the pool are over, as of late he simply tends to spa):
No such factor as a peaceable brunch when he’s round:
Resigning himself to the newest dog-wear:
And simply wanting cute:
Love this fur ball so, a lot. ❤️
