What is your earliest food memory?

One of my earliest food memories is from the summers my sister and I spent at my Grandparents’ house. I would spend hours in the kitchen with my Grandma baking cakes and cookies for tea parties. My Grandma introduced me to this whole world where food was more than just something to eat, it was about creativity and imagination.

This connection I developed with food during those summers has stayed with me ever since. It has also given my Grandma and me a special relationship, built on memories and a love of baking. Even now, when I bake, I think of her, always sending a photo of my latest creations and hearing about what she’s been enjoying. It’s simple, but these conversations will always be wonderful to me.

Why is food important to you?

Food is important to me because it’s a shared experience, it’s a way to connect and communicate with friends, family and even strangers. Some of my favourite conversations have started around the dinner table, leading to lasting friendships or simply hilarious memories with people I’ve met along the way.

This really began during my time at University, where food became a way to meet people and build friendships. Being surrounded by others who shared a genuine passion for cooking and food opened a whole new world for me. My housemates and I started hosting weekly dinners, experimenting with new recipes and cuisines. We would talk for hours over these meals, and it showed me how naturally food brings people together.

That sense of connection grew stronger when I travelled through South/Central America. Exploring new places became about more than just seeing the sights, it was about experiencing the culture through its food. We were welcomed into restaurants and people’s homes to share traditional, family recipes. We celebrated Easter in Lima with our Peruvian friends, explored local markets in Mexico City and shared tortas in the streets of El Salvador. Through these meals, we heard stories of people’s lives, experiences and learnt far more about their history than expected.

You can learn so much about someone’s life through what they cook and eat. Even with my subpar Spanish, food became a universal language, it allowed me to connect, understand and feel part of something bigger.

How did you end up working in food and Nudge?

I started a food Instagram, @dinewithdais, as a passion project, sharing everything from dinners I’ve hosted to restaurants I visit, along with plenty of trial and error in the kitchen. A recent experiment has been pizza dough, using Rachel Roddy’s recipe. I’m yet to crack it, but I’ll get there! I love having a space where I can curate something that reflects my love for food.

Through this and by talking about food a lot, I realised that I wanted a career in the industry, where I could bring that passion to my work. When I discovered PR, it felt like the perfect fit. Being able to champion brands and help tell their stories is so fulfilling.

Earlier this year, I read a feature by Vittles about how Beano Cafes became an institution in Kent, and it captured exactly why I was drawn to working in food PR. Stories like this that go beyond the plate, they’re about people, communities and the role food plays in keeping this alive. I want to contribute and help give people the platform to tell their story.

What is your ultimate comfort food?

It would have to be my mum’s lasagne! Whenever I’m home, she makes it and I’m instantly transported to when I was younger, a slightly fussy eater who wished I could eat it every day.

It’s nostalgic and comforting, there’s no secret family recipe, just one she has perfected. Somehow, everything feels a little better with this lasagne, which is what makes it special. And really, my mum has to be there to make it, which means I get to spend time with her in our kitchen, and that’s my favourite part.

Learn more about Daisy on our Meet the Team page.