A Sense of Place

ALL the colours through all the year. Look up, breathe it all in and see the beauty in everyday. 

Spring has very much arrived here in Cornwall the place I call home. Windy open cliffs are covered in bright yellow gorse which are very much part of the beautiful wild landscape of Cornwall this time of year. Gorse has delicious coconut-scented flowers, sea pinks appear on the coast framing the cliff edges, and the seaside hedgerows never disappoint the alexanders are always such a joyful sight when they return and their flowers in shades of yellow and green start reaching for the sky. Days are lighter which gives me new energy to be creative. When not in my kitchen, I am usually found by the sea watching the wonder of the wildlife and listening to the noise of the ocean, comforted by familiar surroundings and not for one minute taking it for granted. Exciting in all seasons, with rich pickings from nature by the seaside. Very much a reason to be cheerful.

Cooking and my kitchen is where I feel most at home a comforting place, where all things seem possible and everyone eventually comes together. The kitchen is part of all the excitement of seeing family and friends, of celebrating surprise birthdays and anniversaries over the years, of Sunday lunches, summer holidays and Christmases. Whether I was scraping the leftovers from the cake bowl, making meringues or melting chocolate, there was always something to do and feel part of a sense of belonging. Joyful and definitely a reason to smile.

I cook with the ebb and the flow of the seasons, I know where I am then. There is something grounding and reassuring about each changing season. I could not tell you which season is my favourite, but the promise of each one brings its own excitement, evokes different memories and brings different produce into my kitchen. Even on the tougher days which we all have, I challenge you to look for the simplicity of life to lift your mood. Hot buttered toast, café with a friend, listen to the birds in full chorus, read that book, bake a cake and always put the kettle on for that mug of tea. I firmly believe cooking is one of the most loving of all human skills. Happiness right there.

Let’s talk about failure or not feeling enough. Over the years I have struggled with self doubt and imposter syndrome never believing in myself and constantly thinking the worst. I have failed in marriage, in business in many things actually but if I turn that around those failures have actually become my successes they have given me the tools to believe in myself and not listen to that inner voice of negativity. It is having the ability to just keep going what ever life throws at you. It is not always about being the best it is about having a go and being kind to yourself and others. You are enough and that is such a big reason to be cheerful.

Ps I have baked you a cake.

Emily Scott

You will find me @emilyscottfood

Emily’s new restaurant at Watergate Bay Emily Scott Food opens on May 18th www.emilyscottfood.com

Emily’s debut cook book Sea & Shore is published by Hardie Grant on June 10th.