Lilly Higgins says she’s qualified in all aspects of her work and needs to stop doubting herself,
IF you’re looking for some food ‘insta-piration’ take a scroll through the account of food writer and chef Lilly Higgins. Whether it’s sourdough bread, roast lamb with tapenade, or beetroot chocolate cake, her pictures pull you into a culinary world where all is full and bountiful.
With a degree in graphic design, she knows the value of a strong image — particularly when it comes to food.
“You eat with your eyes”, she says, echoing the mantra of successful chefs worldwide.
She has found a supportive online community among her Instagram followers. “It’s all about getting inspiration and learning from other people. Everyone is so nicely behaved and mannerly on Instagram. I like Twitter as well but it’s mostly for arguments.”
There’s more to her work than moreish pictures. At the core of her healthy eating philosophy is gut health.
“I take probiotics every morning and I give them to my kids as well. Then I would eat organic yogurt every day and I make my own saeurkraut. We eat as many fermented foods as we can.”
Married to Colm and living in Cobh, Co Cork, she is mum to three children: Liam, aged six, Cathal, aged four, and Hazel, aged two. And while the emphasis is always on fresh foods, she knows she can’t push her luck too far — “they can always smell a rat,” she jokes.
Not bad. I’ve been really busy lately but I know once I start eating better I can get it in check.
It hard to do regular classes because I don’t where I’m going to be from day to day. I tend to do yoga — there are very good videos on YouTube, like Yoga with Adrienne. And I do a lot of walking.
We go to farmers’ markets once or twice a week just to stock up with fresh vegetables. I would eat lots of chia seeds as well — you can add them to anything and they are not damaged by cooking. I add ground chia seeds to the tomato sauce that goes on top of our homemade pizza to thicken it.
Coffee - even though I have one a day I always feel a bit guilty. When you pair an expresso or Americano with raw milk it’s absolutely beautiful. And I really love wine as well, particularly Malbec.
There were two children in the bed last night. The middle child is fantastic he just sleeps the whole night — the other two come into the bed every single night.
Anything with my hands — baking, sewing, knitting. Doing something creative that I don’t have to do makes me feel relaxed.
Years ago it would have been people completely different but now it would be all of my family because four siblings are living abroad. I’m fourth in a family of eight children.
Bread baking, yeast and when rice is freshly cooked — the house smells lovely... Something that smells like the promise of something you’re about to eat.
Years ago I would have been really harsh on myself but having successfully brought three children into the world I believe I am the way I am for a reason. I think that should be celebrated rather than putting myself down about it. Physically, I’d like to be stronger.
I welled up when we’re moving out of our old house in December. I was acknowledging all the happy memories we had there and feeling a little bit sentimental rather than sad.
Dishonesty or fakeness it can be very confusing. It sends you all the wrong signals.
I think I really need to get over doubting myself. I’ve worked very hard and I’m qualified to do everything that I do. I need to keep reminding myself of that.
No, I don’t. I’d be spiritual. I love nature as opposed to deities.
Good food. Spending time with someone I love. And I really love charity shops —buying something like an old plate that I can’t believe nobody else has spotted it. I love the buzz.