Hello
Welcome to Cheeky Chilli Cooks! I’m Gemma the Caucasian Asian —a food lover born in vibrant Hong Kong, raised in Singapore and Malaysia, and now calling London home. My cooking journey truly began after moving to London at 23, when I started missing the unforgettable flavours of my childhood in Southeast Asia. Recreating those dishes became my way of staying connected to my roots while discovering my own style in the kitchen.
My Story
My cooking style? A heady mix of street food nostalgia, Southeast Asian heat, and a deep respect for cooking from scratch. Over the past year, gut-friendly cooking has become a bigger part of my journey—because coming off the contraceptive pill after 16 years threw my body into absolute chaos. Navigating health curveballs and supporting my family through a cancer diagnosis showed me that food isn’t just fuel—it’s medicine, comfort, and an excuse to gather around the table for something outrageously tasty.
But don’t worry, this isn’t some clean-eating, namaste-only space. Cheeky Chilli Cooks is about big, unapologetic flavours, playful experimentation, and dishes that actually slap. Whether it’s gut-friendly meals that still pack a punch, childhood favourites that transport me straight back to a mamak stall, or my "Dish It Out" series—where I pit world-famous chefs’ recipes against each other in a battle of the bites—every dish comes with a side of cheek.
Life’s too short for boring food, crap wine and bad company. So grab a bottle, pick a recipe, and let’s make some proper tasty chaos.