Meet the Home Cooks

Maddy, 29

High School Teacher, VIC

It was Madeline’s late mum who first taught her how to cook. But after her mum’s passing 10 years ago, Madeline couldn’t bring herself to bake or cook for enjoyment for a long time while she grieved. But to reconnect with her memory, the high school teacher recently started working her way through every one of her mum’s old cookbooks, cooking every single recipe. And it’s when she’s making simple, comforting, ‘old fashioned’ dishes that Maddy is happiest. She’ll always have a stash of fresh baked goods for students in need, and makes birthday cakes for her year 12 class so they know they are loved and celebrated. ‘It fosters connection and reminds students that they are cared for,’ she says.