Paula Mainstone

Meet home cook, Paula

Paula’s love for food and flavour was instilled in her during her childhood. She grew up with a grandmother whose Portuguese cooking always filled their home with delicious aromas which inspired a passion for cooking in her – and she still loves cooking to this day, especially for her loved ones.

The first dish Paula remembers being proud of was a meal she made for her then-boyfriend and current husband; a delicious risotto with Norwegian salmon and asparagus.

The story behind her winning recipe

Paula’s winning recipe was inspired by the Portuguese dishes that used to fill their home with aroma during her childhood; these included stuffed calamari tubes, bacalhau à brás, and prego rolls. A Cape Malay influence is also evident in her flavoursome, winning seafood dish.