Have you ever treated yourself to one of Amy's amazing macarons on market day?? I can tell you for sure I have and I crave them in between markets too!! My absolute fav is choc mint. If there are any left after market day it's the very best treat for breakfast the next morning - mmmm, heaven!!!!
Tell us about yourself and what you create...
Hello my name is Amy Wilson, owner of business Macarons By Amy. I have been cooking as a professional chef since 2007 with Bernard Ricca at Riccas @ Mt Martha, Riccas @ Balnarring and now currently at Regardz @ Stumpy Gully Vineyard in Moorooduc. Cooking is literally my life. As well as a full time kitchen job I wanted to do something in my own right and ever since seeing the front cover of the Gourmet Traveller (July 2009) I was captured by the beauty and versatility of macarons and starting making them. At first with great difficulty and then became better with fewer and fewer failures. Although they are all about precision I love being able to create different colours and flavours. I thought having a market stall would be fun and it all just seemed to fall into place nicely. Macarons By Amy was born.
When did you know you first wanted to be a chef?
After finishing school I started a degree in Primary teaching soon realising it wasn't for me. Leaving uni I was very uncertain about what I wanted to do and went and worked with my parents at the family company while I sorted myself out. I was cooking morning teas of a Friday for the employees, with some suggesting that I might like to be a chef. I was very skeptical at first, but one day at the hairdresser it came up in conversation about what I was doing and she knew a couple that owned a restaurant looking for an apprentice and maybe I should give it a go. Well that was it. It was very difficult at first, but I am so glad I worked through and ended up finishing my apprenticeship in 2011 as the Dux of the William Angliss Institute. Three years on I am still loving every minute. I feel very privileged to work in a job I absolutely love.
What inspires you to be creative?
I get great inspiration from creating food for people that is specific and unique to them. To see the reaction when they eat/see what I make keeps the inspiration flowing.
Describe your perfect day...
My perfect day is wandering around a great food market buying some great produce and a naughty piece of stinky cheese, visiting my favourite shop Essential Ingredient (everything food and cooking) then coming home and cooking a lovely meal.
What is your best ever creative moment?
My best creative moment happened as I was learning to make macarons. It was my cousins 21st birthday and she was having a black and white themed party. I asked if I could make her cake. I wanted to create something unique and fun and I had a scary concept in my head and being as determined as I am I set about pulling it off. Little did I know it would turn out as the best thing I had ever made. It was a four tier flourless chocolate cake covered in ganache and covered with half black half white macarons.
Describe a lesson you learnt from creative cooking failure...
Every failure I have had in the kitchen (many) is actually a blessing, not only will you try and not make the same mistake again it actually has made me a better cook and you can take mistakes you have made in one recipe and take it to another recipe to improve it.
What's the scariest movie you have ever seen?
Sorry, no scary movies here
What's your favourite childhood book?
Dogger, written by Shirley Hughes. I remember Mum reading it to us over and over.
What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
To work hard and be honest.
What's your favourite tunes to get you in the creative mood?
I like lots of different music, but generally a mix of easy listening tracks. I also am very partial to a bit of U2 and Elton John
** Thanks a million Amy for taking part in our Meet The Maker section and for sharing your fabulous story. To connect with Amy please see the links below...
Connect with Macaroons By Amy.
Facebook - Macarons By Amy
Email: macaronsbyamy@iig.com.au
