A PHOENIX rising

Jenny Morris opens up about her journey of flavour, passion, resilience and hope

- BIANCA MULLER

South Africa is blessed with a rich tapestry of culinary delights, and at the heart of this vibrant food culture stands the beloved Giggling Gourmet, Jenny Morris. With a contagious passion for cooking and an infectious laugh, Jenny has won the hearts of South Africans and the world alike. We were lucky to sit down with her as she took us on a journey back to her childhood and shared her dreams for the future, while navigating the challenging terrain of loss and grief.

A CHILDHOOD FILLED WITH FLAVOUR

Jenny’s love for cooking began at her mother’s knee and her parents nurtured her passion for fresh produce from an early age. She fondly recalls her earliest food memory of her grandpa Bob’s crumpets, made on the hot solid stove plate at her grandparents’ massive plot. ‘I was mesmerised by the thick, silky batter running off the spoon onto the oiled plate,’ Jenny reminisces. ‘I loved watching them puff up and turn golden brown. When he would place a warm crumpet onto my plate with butter and runny honey, I would lick off all the melted honey and salted butter and discard the pancake.’

Growing up in an environment where her father grew everything they needed for the table, Jenny’s love for fresh produce flourished. Alongside her sister Beverly, she would venture into the garden, selecting vegetables for dinner. Her parents’ love for cooking and their open-kitchen policy allowed Jenny and her sister to embrace the culinary world with open arms.

PURE PASSION AND DETERMINATION