ABOUT ME

I’m Tania, mum to Hunter who is nearly 3 and a full time food fanatic! I first moved to Dubai in 2008 and stayed for a couple of years, I then took myself off travelling for six months around Singapore, Bali, Australia, New Zealand and Fuji which was an incredibly liberating experience.

My husband Scott and I met in a bar in London through mutual friends, he is my best friend whom I adore, he also drives me crazy in equal measures! In 2014 we stopped over in Dubai on route to a wedding in South Africa , in true Dubai style my friend Finn sold my now husband the dream of living in the UAE and helped him find a job, this was great as he was trying to convince me to move to Australia, which I had said was too far to move. I moved back to Dubai in 2014, since then we got married and have a beautiful family.

I am currently studying nutrition which I am thoroughly enjoying and hugely passionate about, and when I have time I teach people how to cook and educate them on basic nutrition.

WHERE IS HOME?

I grew up in small village called Hartley Wintney in Hampshire but Dubai is now my home, since I moved back here with my husband and we had our son here we feel very settled.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? 

A nurse, until I witnessed a rather horrific road traffic accident!

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Most of the time I feel like jack of all trades master of none! I work as a Sales & Partnerships Manager for British Mums and I also work in the food industry managing brands and bringing new products to the Middle East. No one week is the same and I love that.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN?

Anything outdoors, as growing up in the country my brothers and I always played outside. A beach day, playing football and having a picnic with my boys is the quality time I love after a busy week.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR WEEKENDS?

Before having a family – brunching, diving and eating out with friends. Since having a family my weekends still revolve around food; we love going out for breakfast and trying new places as, let’s face it Dubai is not short of restaurants! I love travelling too, a staycation in another Emirate or a short flight away.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?

Jerry Maguire – a cheese fest of a romcom that I loved as a teenager (my husband will be mortified that I have admitted this is my favourite film!)

IF YOU COULD EAT ONE MEAL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Homemade roast sirloin of beef with cauliflower cheese, honey roasted carrots and parsnips, roast potatoes, homemade horseradish and lashings of proper rich gravy.

WHO’S YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?

I am not sure if you could even call him a celebrity, Matt Tebbutt is a chef in the UK (he presented Saturday Kitchen) and is a total hottie!

WHICH DESTINATION IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST TO VISIT?

Japan, Northern Lights and Argentina to name a few.

WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

Nachos, ice cream and chocolate in that order!

IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

To slow down time, so much to do and so little time to do it in!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN DUBAI?

The people, I think being an expat makes you more open to meeting people from all walks of life and I have been very fortunate to meet some beautiful and fascinating people here. The weather gives us the ability to be outdoors which I love and I believe we have more options to eat out than most places in the world. Dubai is a cultural melting pot and once you scratch beneath the surface you find there is so much to see, do and eat!