I was taken aback with the responses my followers gave me, they loved my food and my stories, and hence, I decided to make my page public. And then the journey began for me.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I was born and raised in the capital city of UAE, Abu Dhabi. After completing my schooling in the UAE, I decided to go to India to pursue further education.
So, my educational qualification consists of a bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Computer Applications (B. Com, CS), a masters in MBA (Human Resources), a post-graduate diploma in Advertising and Public Relations, SAP R/3 HCM certified professional, CHRP (Human Resources – UAE) certified professional.
A part of me always had a dream to attempt the IAS/IPS exams (Indian Civil Services Exam), hence underwent training and got to write prelim examinations as well during my career journey in the year 2012. But fate had a different plan sorted out for me.
In terms of employment, I started my career as Public Relations/Advertising Executive with an international PR Agency, post which I decided to change the course of my career line to HR.
I do carry strong 10 years in Human Resources (Performance Management, Training & Development), I did work as the Assistant HR Manager for one of the biggest names, Tata, under their Telecom Sector, in Kochi, Kerala.
Later, I moved within cities, and finally ended up in Trivandrum, Kerala, wherein I had to conclude my HR journey in the year 2014 as a Business Partner HR for an MNC whilst working in Kerala, India.
In the year 2014, I returned to the UAE and continued to work for a construction firm as a Senior HR Officer post. When I got married and then had to change my career path.
Now I run a loss adjusting firm which had been established by the family I got married into since 2015 until date.
2. What led you to do food blogging?
Both my parents were employed with the UAE Armed Forces (UAE Military), during my initial years in the UAE. And most of the time, as kids, I and my elder brother ended up cooking for ourselves a fast snack after school, as our parents would be away at work.
My father was an excellent home chef. He was the only reason, I cook today. He was my pillar of strength and I have never found any other role model for myself apart from my father.
I always had one goal in life, which was and will always be, "I need my existence to be known in this world." If it is to be a home chef/food blogger, then by all means, people should know I existed. I love cooking for people, and I love food. I love being creative with food and the contents around it.
I love clicking what I cook, what I eat and so on. Hence, I decided to start an Instagram Page and FB page under the name @Peeshu_boo, (Food Huntress Dubai), which initially was a personal page.
Then as days went by, I was taken aback with the responses my followers gave me, they loved my food and my stories, and hence, I decided to make my page public. And then the journey began for me. I am currently working on a YouTube channel, which will be launched soon.
3. What does your typical day looks like?
My typical day would be a hectic one, I must say. I rarely rest. The first thing I do as I open my eyes early morning is to check my social media updates, read the news and look at my little one Jonathan’s face as he sleeps away. And then I do attend to few personal messages that light up my day, followed by some light music.
If time permits, I do try cycling now and then, which I intend to infuse into my daily life. Then comes, work emails, food prep for the family, and during the food prep up time, I do shoot and edit my cooking videos, which takes an hour of my time usually, and then I sit down for my office work.
Few hours into my work, and then its time to step out for some food reviews, or catch up with some friends. I love my social life, and I do try to balance it out with my personal and professional life. I love being mostly outdoors than indoors.
Once I am back, then its time with my little one. My nights mostly does end with time well spent with my son, Jonathan. Then I catch up with some more office work, and a movie and then it’s a wind-up.
4. When did you first decide that you wanted to create and write content about food i.e. for blogging?
I have always been behind the camera since my younger days, and have been documenting everything I cook. One day, I thought to myself, how about displaying what I cook on social media, so my work is displayed and people get to try my recipes etc.
It was in the year 2015, I started my page on Instagram, but it went on full-fledged being about food blogging in the year 2017.
5. Is there a dish you particularly associate yourself with?
I love my beef fry (Kerala traditional way), I am a hardcore fan for any beef dish that tickles my taste buds and that for me is foodgasm.
6. Which is your favourite book and why?
My all-time favourite read was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This book literally taught me to be courteous to the ones we love and be grateful to the ones we love. Two characters that have such opposed attitude, yet they find solace in each other. It was a beautiful love story that will always remain close to my heart.
Sunitha Merlin John
Food Blogger
Instagram - @peeshu_boo
Interviewed by - Benil Joseph
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