Lawyer shares her feed good story
After swapping the courtroom for the kitchen, former solicitor Caroline McAllister has become an Instagram hit, writes JENNY MORRISON
A SOLICITOR who swapped the courtroom for the kitchen is inspiring thousands of cooking fans with her quick to make meals and treats.
When Caroline McAllister returned to work just six weeks after having her first baby, she soon realised that juggling her career as boss of her own criminal defence law firm and being a new mum was harder than she could ever have imagined.
She stepped back from her law work after giving birth to her second baby but struggled mentally and emotionally to find her role as a stay-at-home mum.
Caroline found comfort in the kitchen, often making cakes and treats in the middle of the night when her daughters refused to sleep.
Now five years on from giving up her career in law, the mum of three shares recipes and baking tips with an audience of thousands of followers on her Ultimate Feeder Instagram page.
She hopes her cooking and baking will give comfort to others.
Caroline, 39, of West Lothian, said: “I started cooking almost as a type of therapy when I was going through a huge transition period in my life. I lost my mum when I was 17 and I think I really needed her when I became a mum myself, dropping round with food and comfort as I know many mums do. “Cooking became my comfort, and I gave away a lot of what I made to friends and other parents I met on play-dates or anywhere else. “I became a bit of a feeder to other people who could do with a bit of comfort food or good nutrition. “Now I’m sharing what I make with a much bigger audience and I hope it’s giving comfort to them all.” Caroline, who believes she inherited her love of cooking from her dad, George Kwek, never imagined she would ever want to give up her career in law. But everything changed when she became a mum to daughter Erica, now 7. Caroline, who is married to husband Scott and gave birth to son Leo in October, said: “My dad used to run several Chinese takeaway and delivery restaurants, and at weekends I would often help out but I never dreamed that one day cooking would be my thing.
“Growing up I’d watched Ally McBeal and always wanted to stand up in court, arguing on behalf of my clients.
“For a long time, I loved being a criminal defence lawyer even setting up my own firm but everything changed when I became a mum.
“There would be times where I’d be lying in bed breastfeeding my daughter in my middle of the night and I’d get a call from the police saying they had one of my clients in their cells for an attempted murder and off I’d go.
“I’d be in cells trying to get my clients out when I just wanted to be home with my baby. I felt like the worst mum ever.”
Caroline, who ran her own business close to Edinburgh Sheriff Court, gave up her work when she gave birth to her second daughter, Phoebe, now five.
She said: “After Phoebe was born, we were living in a wee flat, I had two babies under two. They wouldn’t sleep and preferred to be up all night screaming – and I was really struggling.
“At the same time, I was trying to transition from being a lawyer to being a stay-at-home mum and I felt as if I’d lost my purpose or role in life. I was cracking up.
“Everyone needs something that’s just for them – so that’s when I started baking and cooking in the middle of the night since I was up with the girls anyway.”
Caroline moved to a house in the countryside designed by her architect husband where a large open-plan kitchen was at the heart of the home.
She started taking photos of her baking and cooking, which she posted online.
Eventually, she set up her Ultimate Feeder Instagram page where she shares images of the dishes she makes, the ingredients she used and tips on how to make them with thousands of followers.
She said: “I can’t believe how much it has taken off.
“I’ve been in the queue at my local supermarket and had someone come up to me and ask if I’m the Ultimate Feeder, or been spotted elsewhere.
“The meals I make are all quick and easy, and usually they are made from whatever ingredients I have lying around – I use up lots of leftovers.
“I’ve had so much positive feedback from so many people and feel so lucky to be able to live the life I now do.” ● Caroline features in BBC Scotland series Bump, Birth, Baby, which airs on Monday at 10.30pm.
For a long time I loved being a lawyer but it all changed when I became a mum