Meet FoodyFirst

Meet FoodyFirst

Q: So Beth, your title and in your bio says ‘Holistic Nutritionist’ what does that entail? 

Yes, I’m a Registered Holistic Nutritionist! This pretty much means that I’m trained in looking at each person as unique, with nutritional needs that are unique to them. It also means I look at each person as a whole - taking into account what they eat of course, but also the mental side, the social side, the physical and the spiritual. Each part makes an impact on how well we move through life. It also means that I look at all sides of a food, not just how many carbohydrates, protein, or fats are in it. But does it warm you, cool you, combine well with other foods to go easy on digestion, enhanced by another food etc.!

Q: Were you always such a good cook? Did you have anyone in your life that inspired you to pursue working with food?

Gosh no! I always loved food, but have learned how to cook over time. I used to have popcorn as a meal in university... My mom is my biggest food inspiration. She’s a vibrant South African who is very experimental with food and very driven by colour and unusual ingredients. She definitely opened the world of flavour for me!

Q: What are your top 3 favorite recipes you love to make?

Most recently my No-Bake Lemon Tart with Raspberry Sauce. I single-handedly plowed through that whole tart in a single week. SO SO good. Up next probably the Jumbo Chocolate Chunk cookies by Oh She Glows. Those things are a meal in and of themselves and so dang tasty. When we were undergoing kitchen renovations a friend of mine brought over several batches of these and my love grew for them even more (absence of an oven makes the heart grow fonder). I also love making toasts! I don’t really have a specific toast recipe that I love to make (except maybe avocado, salt, and pepper). I just love using whatever the season has to offer. I start with a good spread and then go crazy with the toppings!

Q: So, I’m calling it, you’re the color queen! Your plating is always so impeccably done and your color schemes are stunning! What inspires you to make these mesmerizing dishes? What’s your process?

*blushes* (but like, actually)

I get lots of inspiration from cookbooks! I often go to the thrift store or bookstores and browse through the cookbook section. I love looking at cookbooks from around the world as each country has their own flare and way of doing things. Looking at what’s in season is also a major factor! Other times I’ll literally be out for a run and I’ll suddenly have an idea of a food or meal that I want to make and how I want it to look.

Once I have an idea of what I want to make I get all the ingredients out, including my very few props, and perch by the window in my house to set up the shot! Most of the time my kitty is juuuust outside of the frame.