Jenny Morris: The Giggling Gourmet | Celebrity Chef | Author | Magazine Writer | Radio & TV Presenter

1 Nov 2012

Jenny Morris – AKA * The Giggling Gourmet *, is one of SA’s most-loved food personalities she is an author, magazine writer, radio and TV presenter, restaurant owner, celebrity chef, teacher, caterer and culinary tour guide who has had an ongoing love affair with food since she was a child, when she started making mouth watering treats for school fundraisers. It’s a love affair in the true sense of the word, one that employs all the senses.

Taste is the most obvious, as is aroma. For Jenny touch is also important. “Feeling your food is important,” she says. “Caress it, stroke it, know it intimately.” How you eat your food will reveal what kind of lover you are. “You don’t want someone who eats a sosatie (kebab) with a knife and fork,” says Jenny with the naughty spontaneous laugh that has earned her the moniker of Giggling Gourmet. ” And if I can get presidents and heads of state to eat with their hands, I can do it for anyone!” Among her kitchen essentials Jenny lists garlic, butter, olive oil, trusty zester, and dhania (cilantro).

“I simply cannot do without it. There is nothing better.” Since those early days, Jenny went on to cater for functions at high school, and later cooked for friends and family. Jenny is the well known creator of Giggling Gourmet a catering company of note, The CooksPlayground™ where Jenny teaches practical hands-on cooking courses at her cooking school, these include the now famous CooksParties™, TeamCooking™ and SingleCooks™ alternatives all of which have fun and laughter as a main ingredient.

Jenny’s formula for success is to “entertain informatively and inform entertainingly,” something she does with flair. Not only has she conquered radio but Jenny has made several television appearances both locally and internationally.

Jenny is also regularly much in demand for events such as Food Festivals and Expos, making regular appearances around and outside the country, and is often commissioned by leading brands for both recipe and menu development as well as promoting, demonstrating food and related products, she is an examiner for The Culinary Academy, a judge for various food competitions, and is in regular demand as the first choice SA Celebrity Chef to make appearances at various functions and product launches. Jenny also has a networking relationship with a number well known of international celebrity chefs.

Although she has cooked for dozens of celebrities and royals, (amongst others these have included Prince Charles, Thabo Mbeki, Kenneth Kaunda, Charlize Theron, Al Gore and many more), Jenny remains down to earth and when she’s not wowing the public she can be found in her kitchen stirring a pot of something fragrant and delicious. “Layer those flavours,” she advises, “and feel that dish come alive in your hands”

Jenny created Giggling Gourmet in 1997 has, for the past 10 years operated a catering business and for the past 9 years broadcast some 900 radio shows and 26 local TV and many inserts for international TV shows, she continues to host regular radio shows on HeartFM.

Jenny wrote a best selling cookbook titled Rude Food, Nude Food, Good Food published May 2004 and during April 2006 launched her second book titled; More Rude Food. A new book (working title “Food Affairs” ) chapters include kidding around, souper-sensory prawnography etc is scheduled for publication in 2008.

A range of Jenny Morris/Giggling Gourmet food products and utensils was launched in January 2008.

Giggling Gourmet FoodTours™ another one of Jenny’s creations, has grown into a successful program of culinary trips, going to places that allow you to experience the food and culture of destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China and Morocco with future destinations that will include Australia, Italy, Ireland and South America as well as inbound trips to South Africa

She also writes a regular column for the Next48Hours paper and often contributes to various magazines.

Recently she also opened, Yumcious™, a bistro/cafe styled restaurant at The Cape Quarter in Cape Town.

Please tell us a little more about yourself and your journey so far.

From starting off in my schooldays cooking for my teachers to raise funds for my school I have always had a passion for food and from working as a telephone technician when leaving school, to working in the Hospitality industry, and about 16 years ago I started catering for friends which led me on to doing what I do now although I never dreamed I would be where I am today.

You are busy with so many interesting projects. Please tell us a little more about that.

At present I just finished my fourth book and looking at possibilities for more TV productions.

You have just recently published a new cooking book. Any advice for aspiring authors?

Never give up even if it takes 10 years for a publisher to accept you, keep writing and putting the book together, when it is done take it to a publisher, you stand more chance that way than just an idea of a book, they like to see something.

What is it that you are passionate about?

Life, people and everything I do I attack with a passion that is frightening to me sometimes, but I supposed when you have been given a second chance at life you live it to the full, I almost died.

Who or What has been the biggest influence in your life and why?

My parents I suppose, my mother was an incredibly hard worker and always put her family first, my father was unbelievably creative and I suppose that is where I get my passion for food. He could sing, play the mouth organ, paint the most beautiful paintings and make furniture, build and I could go on for ever.

What is your personal “motto”?

Do unto others, I believe one should be generous of spirit and help others where it is possible.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Never to let anyone sap your confidence!!!!!

Who or what is your inspiration and why?

Life is my inspiration, and I am living it to the full, ok so is Oprah!

Your favourite daily affirmation?

I thank God for the blessing of every new day and I say God I am going to do all the good I can today!

Your favourite quote:

“You become what you think about.”~Earl Nightingale.

Which book are you reading now?

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Travel Books on Italy, France and Turkey

Which book can you read over and over again?

Larrousse which is a culinary Bible!!!

One piece of (general) advice that you’d like to share…

I never bite off more than I can chew, having said that I have a huge mouth, but never take on more than I can over deliver, that drives me, do what you do well!!