Marie Vassallo
Cook and Founder of Rie's Kitchen
Marie has been cooking all her life, though growing up caught between two cultures, traditional Anglo – Australian and Maltese, she didn’t always appreciate it. Family gatherings to bake Christmas treats, or stuff olives were considered “very daggy” however the joy and tradition of sharing food and celebrating together have certainly rubbed off. Marie began cooking for the family at age 11, when her mother returned to work. Luckily for us, she has moved on from her first ever “mastered” recipe of baked bean hotpot.
For many years, Marie has provided friends with jams, sauces and relishes, made from her own garden or with produce donated by friends. In 2006, Marie established her business “Rie’s Kitchen” launching an online shop, Youtube Channel and blog. The hobby has now grown, and Marie has expanded to provide cooking demonstrations at a range of community events and festivals including the Portarlington Mussel festival, Prahran market, libraries and local neighbourhood houses. “I always said when I grow up I want to be Maggie Beer, and when I turned 40, my girlfriend Jenny asked how old do you need to be to be grown up?”
Rie’s Kitchen focusses on locally produced products. Marie personally knows the grower of all her main ingredients. In 2008 Marie was diagnosed with Coeliac’s disease. For a “foodie” this diagnosis was at first devastating. Now all Rie’s Kitchen products and recipes are gluten free. Rie is currently finalising her new cookbook – “Journeys” following on from her first “Origins”.
For many years, Marie has provided friends with jams, sauces and relishes, made from her own garden or with produce donated by friends. In 2006, Marie established her business “Rie’s Kitchen” launching an online shop, Youtube Channel and blog. The hobby has now grown, and Marie has expanded to provide cooking demonstrations at a range of community events and festivals including the Portarlington Mussel festival, Prahran market, libraries and local neighbourhood houses. “I always said when I grow up I want to be Maggie Beer, and when I turned 40, my girlfriend Jenny asked how old do you need to be to be grown up?”
Rie’s Kitchen focusses on locally produced products. Marie personally knows the grower of all her main ingredients. In 2008 Marie was diagnosed with Coeliac’s disease. For a “foodie” this diagnosis was at first devastating. Now all Rie’s Kitchen products and recipes are gluten free. Rie is currently finalising her new cookbook – “Journeys” following on from her first “Origins”.
