Welcome to My Happy Place
If you’re reading this, it means you’ve found me in this quiet little corner of the internet. Among the noise and memes, somehow, you’ve ended up here, with me. Maybe we’ve met before, and maybe we haven’t. Either way, welcome!
A Journey from the Kitchen to the Classroom
I’m Zenobia, a 4th-generation cook and first-generation chef. I started cooking at age 6, standing on a stool in the kitchen, guided by my mother and some microwave-safe bowls. The first thing I ever cooked? Plain white rice.
I know, it might sound boring, but I love white rice. Call me crazy, but my all-time favorite meal was white rice with tiny cubes of cheese. I’ve outgrown that combo, but my passion for cooking has only deepened. Cooking has always been my way of understanding the world — because cooking is chemistry, and through it, I share love.
The Influence of Family
Cooking runs deep in my family. My mom, Joy Mary Rose Dos Remedios, and my grandmother, Rosita Clara Teresa Coelho, have been my biggest culinary influences. I was also lucky to have my Uncle Mark, my godfather, who shaped my approach to food. I’ve been blessed with a family full of great cooks — throw a stone, and you’ll hit one.
From Professional Kitchens to Teaching
I’ve spent 7 years in professional kitchens with brands like Taj, Taj SATS, and various standalone restaurants. I even cooked for celebrities like Malaika Arora Khan and Sonakshi Sinha. But kitchen life isn’t as glamorous as it seems. The busiest days are the ones when I’d rather be with family. I started cooking to feed the people I love, but I found myself working in conditions that made that nearly impossible.
So, I left the world of professional kitchens behind and transitioned to a 9-to-5 role, while continuing to cook on weekends. Today, I’m a lecturer at Fr. Agnel’s Hotel Management in Margao, where I teach food production. I’m also a proud member of the Culinary Forum of Goa.
Passion for Sharing Knowledge
In my free time, I run two non-profit clubs: The Culture Club, dedicated to exploring Goa’s food, history, and culture, and The Cooking Club, focused on offering free culinary education to the world.
Why This Blog?
Why do I write this blog? Simple. This isn’t about making money — though, let’s be honest, that’d be nice. My true goal is for you to take a recipe from me, learn something I’ve picked up along the way, and, in doing so, have a piece of me at your table. I want to change the way you eat and view the world, one recipe at a time.
Let’s Get to the Food
This blog is a mix of personal stories and professional advice. I promise I test every recipe before sharing it. I keep a logbook, filled with recipes passed down from my grandmother, my mother, and now from me to you. Whether you grew up with great cooks or not, I want to welcome you into the family I’m building here. Let’s decode food and explore the stories behind it.