Hi, and welcome to My Home Chef ®.

My name is Rita and I am the director and owner of

My Home Chef Limited.

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My romance with food started 43 years ago in my grandma's kitchen. My grandma was a great cook and I was practically grown up in the kitchen, looking and tasting the delicious food she and my parents prepared.

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My other grandmother was also a talented creative cook and she passed her talent and passion for food and cooking to me. 

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Cooking is my life. I live and breathe food and recipes. I read cooking blogs and books, love talking to people about food, and love cooking and creating recipes with fresh locally grown ingredients. I cook and teach with my students, and for my own family.

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I’m very creative with my cooking and like to experience, try, and make new recipes and flavours from all around the word.

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I was born in Latvia and moved to Middle East when I was six.​

My husband’s family comes from all around the Middle East.

The mix of cultures and my big passion for food gives me an extensive knowledge of a variety of flavours from the Middle-Eastern, Mediterranean, and European cuisines.

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In 2003 I moved with my family to New Zealand and settled in Christchurch.

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In 2008, I acquired a formal qualification in Food Preparation and Cooking from ARA Institute of Canterbury.

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During this time I have worked in various restaurants, and for private clients teaching differnt students and working with the community. 

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Since then, I opened my own cooking school in Christchurch, Moving it to Rolleston, Canterbury four years ago,

Where I teach cook and create. 

 

​Recently we won the first place for:

Selwyn award for Diversity and inclusion 2025 and two years ago we won the bronze award in the same category.

It is a great achievement which reflects my passion for helping the  

neurodiversity (special needs) students and their whanau to grow their abilities and make them a vital part of our community!

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So come meet us, cook with us and learn about flavours from all around the world!

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Looking forward to seeing you!

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Love 

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Rita.

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