About Rita
Hi, and welcome to My Home Chef ®.
My name is Rita and I am the director and owner of
My Home Chef Limited.
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.
My other grandmother was also a talented creative cook and she passed her talent and passion for food and cooking to me.
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.
I’m very creative with my cooking and like to experience, try, and make new recipes and flavours from all around the word.
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.
In 2003 I moved with my family to New Zealand and settled in Christchurch.
In 2008, I acquired a formal qualification in Food Preparation and Cooking from ARA Institute of Canterbury.
During this time I have worked in various restaurants, and for private clients teaching differnt students and working with the community.
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!
So come meet us, cook with us and learn about flavours from all around the world!
Looking forward to seeing you!
Love
Rita.
