Born in Italy, to a Turkish mother and Dutch father, I grew up mostly in Germany, the Netherlands and the United States before leaving my family's nest and venturing solo to the United Kingdom for university. There, in the middle of my studies, I realised that I needed to discover more of the world (well, Europe) and went back to live in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, before returning to London.

My perambulant lifestyle has exposed me to a variety of people, cultures, languages and, most importantly, foods. Now I know that food is just a basic necessity for survival, but to me (like many other people) it is far far more than that. I think it is fair to say that those who love to eat, love to cook. And I am no exception. In fact, good food has always been of paramount importance to my entire family - mealtime was always an event.

It is no wonder therefore that I grew up to be an avid foodie, passionate not about one specific type of cuisine but about the amazing variety of flavours the people of this world have created through the discovery of different herbs and spices.

Now I think it's about time I introduce you to the main focal point of my blog - spicy food. I am a HUGE fan of not only the chilli pepper, but also lesser-known 'piqantes' such as horseradish and mustard. I want to explore all aspects of hot food - discover recipes, fiery facts, and celebrate the vast variety of ways to tantalize my tastebuds.

So follow me at The Redhead Chilli Pepper and spice up your life!