It’s been a long time. Hello. I’m Jill. Remember me? I’m here again. Sitting, sipping on a very large tonic water with loads of ice. Something about the hot weather that’s hit us the past two days, has brought a sedated feeling to my head. Yet, I felt like I needed to somehow, write.

The last time I posted, I had just finished up a big project in Dubai, a lot was making sense, but also not so much. I also thought I was “somewhere” in my life, but then I wasn’t. You know how it goes. And yet, food remained the consistent love affair. I also realised that I might not be good at a lot of things, but I’m an amazing chef. That you can’t take away from me.

Ok. Onto other things. So I moved to Dubai. I’ve been there for the past two and a half years. I’ve developed about 500+ plates of food, some made the cut, others didn’t. We opened a Mediterranean shop, called, Avli. We also opened another three cafes and worked on a lot more small projects. Obviously cooking for menus in both regions. We went through Covid….we going through Covid. We rebuilding, lean, clean, sophisticated simplicity. We cried. Sometimes. And shouted. Vented a lot. But hey. Family things. Can’t always be sunshine and roses. Although, when it is that, it’s fucking amazing.

I’ve had down time the past few weeks and I’ve come to some conclusions. I mean, maybe cliché. But ok. Deal with it.

Time in Dubai has taught me that I work a lot. It’s also taught me that I give of myself to easily. I want to please. Obviously. But maybe (probably) to my own detriment. Covid came and smacked me in the face (we all share this) / finally we have something more in common). He? It? She? Taught me, CALM DOWN. Read the book (KINDLE), talk to the people you love – like REALLY TALK, look them in the eye and have a conversation. MAKE THE PHONE CALL. TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM EVERY MOMENT YOU CAN. Give them ALL the kisses. Do the yoga. Eat the nice food. (Can we also talk about the genius of an airfryer? (Showing my age) / ok. Another time). Have all the wine you want (only if you can manage it). Eat the chocolate. And if you don’t want to do anything today. That’s ok. We have too much pressure on us to always be ontop of everything. Performing to reach every deadline since someone asked our parents “is she walking yet?”. Just take it easy.

Urgh! Let me reign it in. Trying to just say, I’m still here. (I mean, duh) I’m going to post more. TRY TO POST MORE. Obviously more food than just ramblings of the heart.

Thanks for sticking around

J x