About Me

Welcome to The Cooking Flea! Here, we believe that food is joy, connection and a celebration of life, because food brings us together, no matter what language we speak.

Hi! I am Carmen, or by my friends, Carmencita. My journey began as a child in the South of Italy: spending most of my childhood in the kitchen with my mother and great-grandmother, my passion for homemade food grew as an intrinsic part of my identity. In the South of Italy, there’s undeniable magic surrounding the women and their relationship with food; they rely not on measuring ingredients but on intuition, crafting each dish from scratch with an abundant sense of love and tradition. It is this very love that transforms simple ingredients into extraordinary meals, and that’s why our dishes speak of heritage and family, resonating with the flavours of my youth and shaping my culinary journey.

My passion flourished when I decided to go plant-based, as it opened up a whole new world of ingredients and flavours that I had never before explored. Embracing this lifestyle allowed me to rediscover and deepen my appreciation for the delicious veg-based recipes that had been a staple of my childhood, inspiring me to experiment with fresh herbs, colourful vegetables, and unique plant proteins. My journey into veganism not only ignited my love for cooking but also reinforced my belief in the joy and satisfaction that comes from nourishing myself and others without causing the exploitation of animals, the environment and vulnerable populations.