The 'Eat well' Breakfast

From navigating diverse paths to triumphantly balancing the complexities of life while steering her passion fuelled business, Gemma Ogston epitomises resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Joining us at our November Chamber Breakfast, Gem shared her story from learning to batch cook as a child to setting up Gem’s Wholesome Kitchen and publishing her second book, The Healing Cookbook.

The early years

Growing up in Devon and the youngest of five children Gem learnt to batch cook as a child in a house where everyone was welcome, waifs and strays alike, in what was always a chaotic and noisy environment.

“We didn’t have hardly any money, so batch cooking was something that I learned from such a young age because we had to cook lots of food, for lots of people with not much money.”

Gem and her siblings managed their household as their father battled mental illness, while their mother, a nurse, worked night shifts to support the family. Returning home to chores and dinner trays shaped Gem's upbringing. Disliking clearing up (who doesn’t?), she traded chores for cooking, discovering a joy for creating dishes from scratch and even playfully pretending to host her own TV cooking show.

In her teens, Gem battled anorexia from the age of 12, facing severe illness and frequent school absences. Her passion now lies in discussing eating disorders, dissecting societal pressures on body image and the language surrounding food that affects young individuals.

After overcoming her eating disorder, Gem transitioned to a new school, but by 14, the allure of a party-centric lifestyle grew strong. A brief stint at an art college was followed by work at a restaurant before she relocated to London. While working as a flight attendant and exploring the world, her partying persisted until she realised it needed to change. Taking a new direction, Gem joined the front-of-house team at London's inaugural Soho House in Greek Street.

A calming influence

At 22, Gem found a calming influence in her now husband, prompting her decision to pursue a foundation degree in addiction counselling, a subject fuelled by her past experiences of partying. Her journey began at The Priory in Roehampton, delving into drug, alcohol, and sex addiction counselling. Transitioning to an NHS role in drugs and sex outreach in Hackney, Gem discovered a link between therapeutic interventions and food, realising its potential for fostering conversation and connection.

Recognising the correlation between food and emotional wellbeing, Gem, amidst experiencing multiple miscarriages due to a hereditary blood disorder, moved from London to Brighton for a healthier environment after the birth of her first child. Despite working in a similar project in Brighton and having her second child, Gem and her husband sought a change, moving the family to Barcelona.

In Barcelona, her daily meal creations shared on social media garnered attention, particularly from her husband's music industry contacts, leading to a demand for her food for long flights. What started from their Barcelona apartment soon evolved into a thriving business, thanks to the quality of her dishes that offered an escape from standard airline fare.

Back to Brighton

Returning to Brighton to sell their flat, Gem felt a pull towards her family and friends, prompting her to stay and kickstart a new food venture in the city. Settled above The Open Market, she began by making granola breakfast pots for Smorl’s Houmous, quickly sparking interest and a growing demand. Her break came when radio and TV presenter Zoe Ball, impressed by Gem's cooking, raved about it, leading to an explosion of interest on social media.

Gem's journey evolved beyond just cooking; it became about connecting with those she cooked for, understanding the health benefits of her food – how plant-based meals fuelled bodies, boosted immunity, and enhanced mood.

But when the pandemic hit, her business, like many others, came to a standstill. Adapting swiftly, Gem ventured into writing and landed a publishing deal with Penguin Random House for her first book, The Self Care Cookbook. This book not only shares recipes but also narrates Gem's path to motherhood and entrepreneurship, emphasising nurturing the body and mind through food.

Following the success of her first book, she released The Healing Cookbook earlier this year. Divided into four parts, it serves as a wellness guide, harnessing the power of plant-based eating for recovery, sustained well-being, and fortifying long-term health.

Gem's key takeaway (no pun intended) from her journey of launching a business while juggling life is always centred on helping and sharing. Her strategic use of Instagram as a platform to connect organically with like-minded individuals played a significant role in elevating the popularity of her recipes and books. Additionally, her appearances on TV shows like Saturday Kitchen and This Morning significantly bolstered Gem's visibility and subsequently boosted sales of her books.

So, what's next? 

Gem's aspirations for relaxation and a lighter workload seem distant as she gears up for a flurry of upcoming tasks. Her agenda is packed: jetting off to COP28UAE in Dubai to curate meals for prominent figures like Bill Gates and Elon Musk, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a potential third book. Engaging in community kitchens, she is also creating recipe booklets for local schools and a workbook tailored for menopausal women. Additionally, Gem is committed to collaborating with Young Minds UK, a charity she holds dear, further amplifying her dedication to meaningful work.

Of course, we had to close by asking - what’s Gem’s favourite dish?

While reminiscing about childhood surrounded by family and friends her answer: “Minestrone (aka pasta soup) an ideal low-cost remedy when anyone is feeling low or sad, especially with a dollop of mashed potato and cheese on top!”

Yum!

A big thank you to Gem for joining us at our November Breakfast and sharing her life/career journey. Find out more about Gem’s Wholesome Kitchen on her website here.

Richard Excell is is from Excell Design and Marketing, an award-winning brand, design and marketing consultancy. Find out more here. 

Find our monthly Chamber Breakfasts, plus other networking events to inspire and build a community of like-minded business people, on our events page.  

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk