Aruni Jayathilaka

How do our food experts cook and eat? This week, recipe developer, food photographer and food stylist, Aruni of @yummyorhealthy, takes our Q&A!

What’s the story with ‘yummyorhealthy’?

I started sharing some of my dishes and recipes on my personal Instagram, and since I got a lot of positive feedback, eventually I started an account just for food. I began to take recipe creation and food blogging more seriously, and when the pandemic hit, I suddenly had a lot more time to work on it. Since gyms were closed, I wanted to make sure my husband and I didn’t end up obese, so I tried to focus more on healthy meals that were still delicious. I wanted to challenge the idea that healthy diet meant tasteless food, hence, “yummyorhealthy” was born!

Dead or alive, who would be your dream dinner-party guests to cook for?

I’ve always wondered if Gordon Ramsay would be happy with my dishes. I’d really enjoy the challenge of trying to impress him!

What’s the most exotic food you’ve eaten?

While it may not seem all that exotic to my American friends, the first time I ate sushi was an adventurous experience for me. Raw seafood is not a Sri Lankan delicacy, so when I got to enjoy it for the first time in Dallas, it certainly felt adventurous to me.

Your favourite odd food pairing?

Marmite is already something you either love or hate, and not only do I love it, but I love to combine it with woodapple jam! Just add it to some buttered toast and you’ll see.

If someone wanted to impress you with food; what would it take?

I think if they could take a simple dish and elevate it to exceed my expectations, I would be truly impressed.

What’s the trick to food styling done right?

Practice makes perfect. If you compare my first few Instagram photos to more recent shots, there’s a learning curve. I can’t understate the importance of taking the time to practice shots, try different set ups and styles, and observe techniques from other photographers. I still have so much to learn.

What’s one thing you miss about the Sri Lankan food scene?

I’d love to go back and have some Devon chicken pastry. In my teenage years, we used to grab these tasty treats whenever we could, and I still love them.