About Teresa

~ Where it all began ~

Hi food lovers! My name is Teresa and I hail from the beautiful city of Cape Town in South Africa. My passion for food started at a very early age and I have many fond memories of baking mince pies and biscuits over the Christmas school holidays, my grandmother’s famous apple pie and custard, mum’s muesli slowly baking in the oven, plum jam bubbling on the stove and Monday night roast chicken being enjoyed with home made gravy. That is where my food journey started and I have been baking and cooking ever since!

~ My foodie background ~

After school I went on to complete a National Diploma in Food and Nutrition, this included food science and nutrition theory as well as lots of practical training in the kitchen. After graduating I began working at a leading upmarket food store in Cape Town, initially starting in the deli and working my way up to a management position. As part of my work I had daily dealings with the stores suppliers – most of whom delivered exquisite handmade goods. I would often dream about setting up my own small business doing the same thing, and after a brainwave I approached the owners of the store with an idea for a product I could produce and supply. They agreed, and over the next few years my product range grew from one to several lines, including handmade chocolate truffles and iced tea.

Five years later I took the decision to sell my business in order to pursue another dream – traveling. Newly-wed, my husband and I packed our bags and headed to London.

~ Back in Cape Town ~

Three and half years (and one very full passport) later we returned to the Cape and I took up a position at another food company, this time as a New Product Developer. I worked there for two years until my gorgeous daughter arrived and I decided to stay at home. I now work from home as freelance food writer, recipe developer and food photographer, in between raising two fantastic tiny humans. 

~ So why a food blog? ~

My goal here at Cupcakes and Couscous is to spread the foodie love and inspire readers to get back into their kitchens. I will be sharing some of my tried and trusted recipes, tweaked and perfected over the years (because the truth is that I have never been good at sticking to a recipe) that I hope will inspire you to get cooking too.

Well, with the introduction out of the way there is nothing more to do except pull up a kitchen stool and make yourself at home. Here we go…