In our Vietnamese home, every dish told a story, with my mum and nan orchestrating the flavours. Even with simple ingredients like peanuts and water spinach, they’d turn dinner into a sensory feast—a comforting soup, greens in oyster sauce, and salted roasted peanuts. It was our daily ritual, a celebration of togetherness, and a lesson in creating magic from the ordinary.

Moving to Kapunda, I faced the challenge of a limited Asian food scene and sourcing imported ingredients. I therefore embraced local produce to recreate the authentic flavours of Vietnam, adding a touch of my childhood magic.