Emily Chalk.
Alice Taylor never planned to become a chef. With a Masters in politics and her eyes on a career in academia, she imagined a future filled with policy debates and university lectures. That all changed when she came third on MasterChef New Zealand. What began as a side interest in food quickly became something more – a way to connect with people, address real issues like food insecurity and inspire change from the kitchen up.
“When I became a chef, a lot of people were confused,” the 25-year-old laughs.
“I always thought about doing a PhD thesis on the politics of food. So when I started posting the cheap recipes, I realised this is how I can combine the two things.”
From fine dinning to real-life dinners
Though she knows how to create picture-perfect dishes after working in fine-dining establishments like Amisfield and Baduzzi, Alice admits she started posting recipes on her Instagram account, partly in response to the unrealistic food she saw online.
“All you see on Instagram are perfect dishes cooked by perfect people in their perfect kitchens. I had this epiphany that I’d love to see some real food, so why don’t I post it?”
She began sharing videos of her weeknight dinners, breaking them down to cost per portion. All were filmed in the purple-and-orange kitchen of the flat she shared with her partner, fellow chef Orion Quoka. They have since upgraded to a more modern home.
Going viral with real food
“My first video was using half a roast chicken that looked terrible and some leftovers mixed up together – and it went viral,” she tells.
“It showed me there was a big group of people who wanted some advice on how to save at the supermarket, but also food that didn’t make them feel like they were doing a bad job.”
Alice isn’t afraid to speak out, either. She frequently calls on supermarkets and politicians to act on food affordability. After one particularly expensive shop, she posted a plea asking why groceries had become so exorbitant. She tagged Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Leader of the Opposition Chris Hipkins, then nervously waited for a response.
From instagram to parliament
“I got really scared after I posted it,” she admits.
“I called my dad and he told me to go for it. I was hoping the prime minister might leave a comment. I never imagined his team would be in touch to come over and have a conversation.”
Since then, she’s hosted PM Christopher, finance minister Nicola Willis and Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick in her flat to discuss soaring grocery costs, and encouraged them to take action.
“It’s so wrong that so many people feel anxious going to the supermarket to feed their families,” she says.
It hasn’t been a walk in the park, though. Alice has learned that, despite having many supporters, there will always be those on the internet who want to spread negativity.
Thick skin and real talk
“People sometimes criticise the way I cook and I often do address them,” she says.
“People need to be less judgemental. I don’t mind too much because if people leave a negative comment, it still benefits me, so I do chuckle about it. “MasterChef made me a far more resilient person. Being on reality TV helped me grow a thick skin, which prepared me for being on Instagram.”
Leaving the kitchen behind
Creating her own foodie corner of the internet has become a welcome reprieve for Alice, who left professional cheffing last year. Though she’s grateful for the experience, she knows the industry isn’t the right fit for her.
“I cook and I love food, and I learned a lot in my time cheffing,” explains Alice.
“But I reached a point in the job where I fell out of love with cooking for a bit and my mental health took a hit. It’s a tough job.”
Cooking with purpose
Alice may have left behind the heat of professional kitchens, but she’s stepped into something far more fulfilling: helping everyday Kiwis cook with confidence.
“I’ve found the thing that brings me a lot of joy and it’s a way I can bring a positive contribution to the world,” enthuses Alice.
“I want to create a space where I can advocate for change and keep expanding the conversation around the cost of living.”
You can follow Alice on Instagram at @alicetayloreats.
