My life in three paragraphs
I was born in England, in Birmingham, but lived in Africa from an early age, in Zambia and South Africa. It was an enriching and beautiful experience, but I returned to England to be closer to my family in 2011.
I qualified in catering management in my early twenties, and found great joy in cooking, the greatest reward being when I ran my own catering company for 13 years and saw how people enjoyed their eating experiences. It also taught me a lot about event management and detailed planning.
I have many interests, and always enjoy a new challenge, but when not planning, writing and delivering ceremonies, you might catch me with a spoon in hand (I still love to cook!) or a good book—normally indulging in a good murder mystery—or happily crafting away.
As a Celebrant:
Being a celebrant, surprisingly, has quite a bit in common with being a chef … I am given ingredients (the people and elements that are personal to you) and then it is up to me to mix all these together, creating a ceremony that is just right – and fitting for your loved one. No two ceremonies are ever the same, and nor should they be.
I love the fact that my experiences living in South Africa opened my eyes to so many different cultures and beliefs (or none.) This has given me a great basis to start from here in the UK, another beautiful and diverse nation. I respect others’ ideologies as my own, so my approach is always inclusive, flexible and supportive.
I embrace thinking outside the box (heck, I threw it out years ago!)—we are all so very different, and I look forward to working with you to create a special ceremony—from the heart, personal and filled with all the little details that made your loved one special.