Kay-Lene went through a self-diagnosed quarter-life crisis; She was working in documentary production for about 4 years and found herself wondering if that is what I wanted to do for the rest of her life. Find out more about Kay-Lene and her journey.

What inspired you to choose Culinary Arts / Baking over other fields?

I went through a self-diagnosed quarter-life crisis; I was working in documentary production for about 4 years and found myself wondering if that is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I am a strong believer in the saying that if you do a job you love, you never work a day in your life. I love food, and after watching copious episodes of Top Chef (a reality show recommended to me by my best friend, Vanessa) I made a decision to pursue my passion for the culinary arts.  I love the challenge of working in a male dominated industry; it has helped me grow as a person and find out that I am a lot stronger than I give myself credit for. All in all, I just love food! Feeding people brings me immense joy; I can't imagine doing anything else.

How do you like to unwind after a long day of work?

I love going on long hikes with my partner, Eric, and our two Dachshunds, Sirrus and Remus. With the travel radius at the moment, it has given us the chance to really explore the new neighbourhood we have just moved to. I'm really lucky to be surrounded by a lot of nature and wide open spaces; it really helps me escape the chaos of the city and just breathe.

What is one piece of advice that you would like to give the women in our #LBCommunity?

Be your authentic self and never be afraid to say "no". And, in the words of the great Theodore Roosevelt, "Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground." This is a quote I live my life by. It's so important to always push yourself to achieve new heights but stay grounded no matter how successful you become; never forget your humble beginnings and the people who helped make you the person that you are.