Me, myself and my food philosophy

My name is Isabel Borok and I’m one half of the duo behind Belle’s Kitchen.  I’m a self-proclaimed wine and dog enthusiast with a bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts. While I’m formally trained in painting, sculpture and photography, my true passion lies in creating in the kitchen.

Since I could sit up straight, I’ve always loved to cook, bake and create with some of my earliest memories being in the kitchen with mum making blueberry muffins. My mother wasn’t my only cooking influence, in fact she was only one of many with the top chef in our family being my father.

My dad taught me almost everything I know, from how to scramble eggs to preparing an entire Sunday roast, and while I now get to cook in the kitchen of my dreams, the kitchen I learnt and grew up with was far from ideal. Think tea towels holding the oven shut and wooden spoons keeping the gas hob turned on. It was like something out of The Middle and so small evening cooking alone felt crowded.

However, as much as I hated that kitchen, I can’t deny how much that small, dysfunctional space influenced how I cook and why I so strongly believe in creating recipes that can be made by anyone, anywhere. Whether you only have a small kitchen in a studio apartment or a lavish space with a four-metre-long kitchen bench, making great food should be possible, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.