Hi Montse! Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you call home? Have you got family of your own? Kids, pets?
Hello! My name is Montse Castells, originally from Barcelona and having lived in the UK and Hong Kong. I came to Singapore alone for work with an initial plan to stay for 3 years. Seventeen years have passed, and I am still here. I am married to an Englishman, Ben. We have two children, Zoe and Santi, aged 11 and 8, and also a beautiful 8-month-old Labrador. I love nature, the sea, photography, cooking, running, yoga, climbing… and if you give me any team challenge, whether physical or for a good cause, count me in!
How did you develop your passion for being a home cook?
Food was such a central part of my family upbringing. We grew up spending a lot of time in the kitchen and sharing endless meals to stay updated on each other's lives. Our food was always fresh, seasonal, and sourced locally. When visiting my grandfather, we would receive live chickens and rabbits that would later become our meals. This, coupled with my love for travel and curiosity about other cultures, has made me a food adventurous person. I am always eager to explore and try new things. Food is where happiness begins—it's a wonderful way to keep people happy and connected. Additionally, having children has made me even more aware and conscious of what we are eating. I strive to provide them with nutritious, balanced meals, while also ensuring they enjoy the process of preparing and eating food, just as much as I do.
What inspired you to share your culinary home cook creations with others?
It all started at work, few years back, where I used to bring my homemade food in and I had lots of questions about its recipes. So, I decided to start my Instagram for fun and a place where to compile my home cook creations for inspiration.
Is your home cooking a side hustle or full time passion project?
It always has been a side hustle but I am starting to consider if I could do something else with it. However, my Instagram account it always will be for fun… this will not change.
Can you share one of your favorite recipes and tell us why it's special to you?
I believe, even though I am not British myself, that after spending five years in the UK and being married to a Brit, the Sunday Roast has become a cherished family and friends ritual for us. It's a time when we all come together and enjoy a wonderful long Sunday meal on our balcony. Whether it's roasted lamb, which is our preference, or with beef or roasted chicken, it has become a classic tradition in our household. Yorkshire pudding included!
If you were to create your own meat pack, what would be in it?
Beef, lamb, chicken meanly, and now and then pork… a bit of everything really as we love variety. Actually, you can see my account and how I am changing the items in my pack.
Are there any cooking techniques or tools that you find especially helpful when preparing meals at home?
I am an oven lover! Everything goes in there: veggies, meat, fish… I love it's simplicity, healthier, flavourful… we are grill / BBQ lovers too. We keep it simple and ensure the ingredients tell the story.