Tooting Mama
Tea with Tooting Mama discovering heritage and culture through Sri Lankan food
From cancer survivor to MasterChef (and more!)
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From cancer survivor to MasterChef (and more!)

Laura Hicks' Inspiring Culinary Journey
Laura Hicks, MasterChef 2022

In this episode of Tea with Tooting Mama, I’m talking to Laura Hicks about her remarkable life story, starting at age 17 with her battle against a rare form of bone cancer. She discusses how her illness led to a deep passion for cooking, and taking part in MasterChef.

Laura is a dual heritage British Sri Lankan. We talk about how this affected her growing up, how she brought Sri Lankan food to Masterchef, and how this experience led her to a career in food and reconnecting with her Sri Lankan Dutch Burgher heritage. Laura has done a lot to showcase Sri Lankan food on mainstream TV, but this wasn’t without controversy as trolls questioned her right to identify herself as Sri Lankan.

Laura Hicks with her Mum and Dad

Laura highlights the influence of her family's hundred-year-old cookbook, created by four generations of women, the challenges of balancing motherhood with her restaurant career, and how she hopes to publish her family’s cookbook.

Breudher, part cake part bread traditionally served with butter and Edam cheese

At the time of recording, Laura was pregnant with her third child. I’m delighted to say Laura has since given birth to her gorgeous son, Billy Hynes.

00:00 Introduction and Early Life

00:18 Battling Cancer at 17

00:54 Chemotherapy and Its Aftermath

01:27 Discovering a Love for Food

03:16 Journey to MasterChef

04:04 MasterChef Experience

06:57 Sri Lankan Heritage and Family

09:06 Identity and Cultural Challenges

12:31 The Hundred-Year-Old Cookbook

13:23 Exploring the Family Cookbook

13:51 Generational Cooking Stories

14:12 Diverse Culinary Heritage

15:27 MasterChef and Culinary Career

16:10 Supper Clubs and Popups

19:40 Balancing Family and Career

21:50 Favourite Sri Lankan Dishes

24:52 Nostalgic Restaurant Memories

25:58 Future Plans and Aspirations

Laura Hicks Instagram

The Scrandit

The Kandyan, Bristol

Beach Wadiya


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