How to Cook a Gremlin
I’m Sophie Archer, I’m a lawyer turned chef and entrepreneur. After having tackled some of my biggest gremlins - blood cancer, multiple rounds of unsuccessful IVF, a marriage breakdown I decided to change the course of my life. I am head cheffing and launching a new food business that I am excited to talk about. My recipe for cooking your gremlins - or tackling challenges and niggling doubts - includes uplifting food, sharing dishes with my favourite people and embracing an unconventional life.
In this pod I speak to inspiring guests that have taken unusual paths - including chefs, interior designers, marketeers, entrepreneurs, journalists, therapists, life coaches and doctors to name but a few. We discuss their recipes for; mending heartache, fun, health and cooking their gremlins.
Expect cooking hacks, plenty of laughter, restaurant recommendations, heartwarming insights and unsolicited life advice!
How to Cook a Gremlin
Salima Saxton - Who to leave at the party and the perils of a forever home
One night, after service in the restaurant, I stumbled across a Moth Story that stopped me in my tracks. If you haven’t heard of them, think TED Talks—but personal storytelling. It was Salima Saxton, talking about a Valentine’s Day when her beloved husband, Carl, an entrepreneur, told her he couldn’t go on. Everything unraveled. Salima took charge. She moved her family back to her childhood home in the countryside and upended their lives.
With humour, honesty, and remarkable tenderness, she told that story in a way that floored me. At 11:15pm on February 1st, I DM’d her, telling her I had to speak to her. And to my absolute delight, she said yes.
Salima’s career is multi-stranded. She’s an actor, voiceover artist, author, life coach, and co-host of the brilliant podcast Women Are Mad. She is full of wisdom. She says that the best way to connect with your gut is to imagine your eight-year-old self and your eighty-year-old self — and try to live in a way that honours them both. This episode did just that for me - enjoy!