Will this be your year of Yes?

Back in 2023, I wrote about reading Shonda Rhimes’ book Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person.

If you don’t know who Shonda Rhimes is, you’ll know her shows: Grey’s Anatomy, The Residence, Bridgerton, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder, are just a few. I freely admit to wasting many hours bingeing my way through episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, until I hauled myself to my senses and convinced myself to stop wasting my life!

Her book was originally published in 2015. It’s part memoir-ish, part sort-of-self-help-ish, part collection of essays-ish. The book documents a challenge laid down by her sister to say yes, for a year, to opportunities that came her way, and what it led to. The result was life-changing. I won’t spoil it for you, because I think you should read the book.

This book made me think about myself, and my habit of letting opportunities slip me by because I’m wracked with self-doubt, the fear that I’m not good enough, and just good old imposter syndrome.

It’s the tenth anniversary of Shonda’s book and her message still resonates with me. Can I be bold enough to push past my fears and say yes to opportunities that come my way?

A couple of months ago, I got a message on Instagram asking me to appear at a food festival that would require me to cook in front of a live audience and appear on their chat stage to talk about food. The Sri Lankan food I’ve been writing about and photographing for years.

The thought of doing this made me feel sick. Every scenario of what could go wrong played through my mind: burning onions, not cooking rice properly, forgetting recipes, and the voice in my head layered on a generous helping of self-doubt.

Yet, I pushed past my fear, ignored the self-doubt, didn’t give in to imposter syndrome, and tapped “yes,” and hit send.

The Great British Food Festival

So this summer, this is where you’ll find me at the Great British Food Festival, which runs across the UK bringing together fine local and regional artisan producers, food, real ale and wine, craft and gift stalls, children’s entertainment, foraging walks, top chef demos (me!) and all accompanied by live music.

I’m appearing at two venues:

• Danson Park, in Bexleyheath 5th and 6th July

• Wimbledon Park 23rd / 24th / 25th August

Swing by, come and say hello!

It’s my first food festival and I couldn’t be more thrilled and just a little bit scared!

The Sri Lankan Culture Collective

If you can’t get to the Great British Food Festival, then join me at the Sri Lankan Culture Collective Festival, which runs from 26 July – 7 September.

We’re kicking off with a comedy and music night on 26 July at the Battersea Arts Centre, a wine and spice pairing workshop on 5 August at Arêvery in Tooting, a supper club at Tooting Works where I’ll be cooking for you, on 14 August, and finally, on 7 September, we’re rounding off the festival with a hopper-making masterclass at Tooting Works.

The Power of Yes

It turns out that yes, albeit a small word, is a powerful one and it can take you places you could never imagine.

Tell me in the comments: what will you be saying yes to?