I recently was thinking about all the dishes I enjoy on a daily basis and where they originate from. Growing up in London, you couldn’t escape the glorious blend of cultures — especially in the food. Indian curries were as much a part of our lives as a good  Full English breakfast. One of my earliest foodie loves? A classic Chicken Tikka Masala — creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of spice. Though I moved to Canada at a young age, that love for bold, worldly flavors only grew stronger. Thanks to my mum (who could travel the globe with just a wooden spoon and a pantry), our kitchen smells of wonderful spices on a daily basis. From buttery curries to Greek dips and everything in between, dinner was never dull — and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Sharing the Flavours with a New Generation

These days, I’m having just as much fun introducing my daughter (now three and already developing quite the adventurous palate) to the same big, bold flavours I grew up with. It’s a joy watching her discover new tastes, and I’m slowly watching a mini foodie emerge right before my eyes.

She recently developed a full-blown obsession with all dressed crisps — something I didn’t see coming.

Since moving to Brockville, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the variety of restaurants and international flavours on offer. From Thai to Indian to everything in between, it’s been a welcome reminder that you don’t need a big city postcode to enjoy food from all over the world.

Kitchen Time Travel

Some foods aren’t just tasty — they’re time machines. One smell, one bite, and you’re back in a moment that mattered. For me, it’s Welsh rarebit. That savory, melty, sharp-cheesy goodness was my dad’s twist on the traditional recipe, and every time I make it now, I feel like he’s still around, fidgeting about the kitchen, insisting “it just needs a bit more Worcestershire sauce.”

And while Mum occasionally critiques her own dishes like a MasterChef judge (“It’s not my best,” she’ll mutter), I never fail to enjoy them. I’m convinced she’s hiding a spice blend only mothers can possess — equal parts flavour and unconditional love.

If I Could Host a Dream Dinner…

…there’d be no theme, no matching napkins — just the wild, joyful chaos of global comfort food.

We’d start with Swedish meatballs swimming in a gooey, possibly teriyaki-ish sauce (don’t judge until you’ve tried it). Then we’d dive into a bubbling pan of shakshuka, rich with tomatoes and gently poached eggs. And to finish? A piping hot bowl of bibimbap, layered with sizzling vegetables, sticky rice, and that glorious fried egg on top — because food tastes better when it’s sizzling in a stone bowl that could burn your eyebrows off.

Mum would cook, of course. I’d be in charge of drinks and cleaning up… and maybe supervising to make sure no one forgets the poppadums.

Final Thoughts (and Leftovers)

Food has always been a way for me to connect — with culture, with family, and now, with my daughter. It’s not just about what’s on the plate; it’s about the memories, the laughter, and the tiny traditions that get passed down bite by bite.

Another post that talks about British food you can find here

🍴 Let’s Chat:

Do you have a dish that brings back a special memory? Or a strange food combo your child swears by? Drop a comment below or send me a message — I’d love to hear what’s cooking in your world.

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