Tandy’s first memories of food involve her paternal grandmother who always had enough food at her table to feed a small army. She can remember stepping into her grandmother’s pantry and eating pickled onions right out of the jar. The pantry also always had a container of crunchies and one bite of this treat transports her right back to that place. Coming from a Jewish family, high holy days meant cooking with all the aunts and it is her Aunty Tilly’s ice cream that was the inspiration behind her first recipe book, Lavender & Lime. Tandy’s maternal grandfather was the first foodie she knew and he was a dab hand in the kitchen, making his own mayonnaise and Steak Tartar among other meals. They shared a mutual passion for mustard and Tandy always has at least four jars in her fridge at any one time.

This blog was created in 2009 and Tandy has the following to say:

“Thanks for stopping by to learn more about me. I love to read about food, cook food, and of course eat food. I try to shop for fresh, organic ingredients wherever possible.  I cook from the heart, to nourish the soul. Most of the meals you see here are the ones I cook each night for supper and the photographs are taken in my kitchen under an ordinary halogen light. This blog is not about photographs but about the recipes. If an error creeps into a recipe, please let me know “perfection is something to strive for, not yet achieved”. I don’t use much salt and pepper in my food and so you will rarely find it in my recipes. But, add your own to taste. I usually get fresh farm eggs which are HUGE. But, my recipes will work with large – jumbo eggs. My favorite saying is BE THE BEST YOU, YOU CAN BE.”

Tandy lives with her husband, 3 Jack Russell’s, a fish and tortoises in a cottage on a property on which they are building a house. In the meantime, all creations come out of her small kitchen. Tandy believes in spending money only once and so she saves up to get the kitchen tools she thinks are the best quality.

© Tandy’s kitchen

Tandy has been interviewed by Jeanne Horak-Druiff of Cook Sister! and by Taste Magazine. She was mentioned on the radio by Simon Gear in his green minute. Tandy contributed to food blogging 101 on the Good Housekeeping website.

Tandy has taken part in numerous community challenges and competitions including most of the challenges hosted by yuppiechef, an online kitchen tool company. Tandy has also participated in Presto Pasta Nights and currently takes part in The Secret Recipe Club, Meeta’s Monthly Mingle and Fresh From The Oven. Tandy is now hosting her own challenge I MADE IT.

Tandy’s recipes were published on various platforms before she started blogging. Her recipe for duck egg ravioli was showcased in the Taste Magazine (November 2011) and she wrote a series of recipes for Woolworths South Africa for their chopping board chit chat. Tandy blogged five recipes for the Canderel ‘what’s your guilty food secret’ campaign which were posted on her blog and has provided recipes for Strandveld Wines.

© taste magazine

In April 2011 Tandy won the DSTV competition to cook with Jonathan Daddia at the Good Food and Wine Show. She has also cooked with Anthony Worrall-Thompson, Brian Turner, James Martin, Alvin Quah and Giorgio Locatelli in hands on workshops.

© jonathan daddia

In February 2012 Tandy was selected as a top 10 finalist in the Eat In Best Local Food Blog Awards. She was once again a finalist in 2013.

When not in her kitchen Tandy is at work selling Natural and Organic products.

Tandy has a few quotes that she thinks are worth sharing:

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

Hug a child today, and everyday – and let your pets know you love them.

Give back the blessings you have received. 

You can follow Tandy on twitter:

You can send Tandy an email: tandy(AT)tandysinclair(DOT)com – she would love to hear from you.