Growing up surrounded by good food and hard work, Jemima Lester has built a career that beautifully blends passion and purpose.
Balancing a full-time role at Mr Winston with her thriving private chef business and her creative food platform, @goodfoodthings_, Jemima has turned her love of cooking (and eating!) into a dynamic career. What began as a few home cooked dinners shared on Instagram has evolved into a vibrant side hustle and an ever growing community inspired by her honest, flavour-forward approach to food and life. We sat down with Jemima to talk all things food for our latest edition of the Monthly Muse.
Tell us about your career journey?
I grew up working in hospitality and have always been around good food. My dad is a wild cook and my mum is an absolute hustler so I think I was always wired to have a few balls in the air balancing something food based and my full time job.
At present I work full time Mon-Fri at Mr Winston, work as a private chef most weekends and post recipes and food content under @goodfoodthings_
I really fell into private chef work by photographing the dinner parties and events I cooked for friends and family, and posting this to my little recipe instagram. For each group I cooked for, I would generally pick up 1-2 jobs through either the content posted or word of mouth. I definitely didn’t anticipate this becoming such a major part of my life / career however I love how much variety I have in what I do and the excitement that comes from good food!
Where did your love for cooking come from?
Probably my love of eating? Also from my parents. We were encouraged to try everything growing up - there wasn’t ever separate dinners for kids and adults. My dad is an unbelievable cook and the kind of person who will get out of bed in the middle of the night to try something he’s thought up. All my best memories are centred around sharing meals with the people I love so this has just really carried through into what I do now.
What is your go-to busy girl meal to cook during the week?
Mid week I want something so quick and so easy - salad with chicken, salmon or steak. These two come together in 15 minutes and are great for lunch leftovers:
Miso Sesame Chicken Salad - https://www.instagram.com/p/
Chicken & Crispy Rice Salad - https://www.instagram.com/p/
Favourite restaurant in Australia?
Embla, Russel St Melbourne - is my forever favourite.
In your opinion, whats the most underrated or misunderstood ingredient?
Anchovies!!! They did have a major resurgence (note: anchovy toast at every wine bar ever) but as an ingredient they are so underrated and so versatile. Justice for anchovies!
How would you describe your personal style?
Very simple! I love staples like tailored pant and crisp singlet, a great blazer or shirt. I do then love how fun something bold and colourful feels amongst this every now and then as a contrast - I wore a butter Wolf Gang set recently and it was such a fun change.
Your 3 handbag must-haves?
Lip liner + Sharpener because mine are perennially blunt, wired headphones, and a flaked salt pinch tin (this really sets the crowd on fire maldonsalt.com/
Where is your next holiday destination?
Niseko, Japan <3 <3 <3
Dead or alive, who would you invite to your next dinner party?
How could I choose!!!! The table: Stanley Tucci, Princess Di, Dolly Alderton, Dianne Keaton, Anthony Bourdain, My Grandma Kim, Nora Ephron
