WELCOME

I’m so happy you’re here!

I’m Samantha Pickthall, the recipe creator and food photographer who has been running this site for over 8 years.

Hi, I’m Samantha

Born in the sun-kissed landscapes of Australia, I call Melbourne home.

My baking journey began in the comforting corners of my childhood kitchen, watching my Mum and Nan craft their beloved recipes.

These early experiences ignited a lifelong passion for food, propelling me to further my skills through specialized courses in hospitality and patisserie.

When I’m not in the kitchen or behind the lens, life’s pleasures find me in various forms.

Whether it’s sharing affectionate moments with my loyal canine companion, Max, or in quieter moments, I’ll be engrossed in the meditative practice of crocheting.

I also love to serve up aces on the tennis court or, let’s be real, serving laughs because my tennis skills are sometimes “under development.”

Then there’s my version of ‘Into the Wild,’ which usually involves me hiking in local bushlands without getting lost (so far, so good) or unwinding by freshwater lakes.

Blog Story

I quickly realized that my true calling lay in recipe development and sharing these creations with a broader audience. This revelation was the catalyst for this food blog.

Alongside my love for baking and cooking came an interest in food photography. Sharing these delicious recipes and visually captivating images with you is, in essence, a dream come true.

My Favorite Recipes

What you will discover on Wholesome Patisserie

  • Simple Bakes: No patisserie PhD needed, just easy recipes that wow.
  • Holiday Magic: Seasonal treats that’ll make every festivity even sweeter.
  • Picture-Perfect Guides: Step-by-step photos to ensure your dish is taste-bud ready.
  • Measure Your Way: Cups, milligrams, grams, ounces—we speak ’em all. No conversion headaches here!

Education

  • Certificate II in Hospitality – Offered by Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) at Aquinas College.
  • Certificate II in Kitchen Operations – Offered by Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) at Aquinas College.

Culinary Journey

Samantha Pickthall as a Booth exhibitor at the cake bake & sheets show 2017 with the team from organic times.

Professional Career

Linkedin Profile

  • 2007 – 2016: Retail Salesperson
  • 2018 – 2022: Full-time freelance food photographer and recipe developer.

Interviews

Online Publications

Magazine Publications

  • Woolworths Fresh Ideas – Collaborated with Cocobella on a one-page spread, where I developed and photographed the Raspberry Yoghurt Parfait Popsicles recipe.
  • Coles Magazine – Collaborated with Cocobella on a one-page spread, where I developed and photographed the Coconut Yoghurt Fruit Bowl recipe.

Cookbooks

Contributed to two recipes + food photography.

eBooks

Exclusive Recipes, Food Photography & Food Video Tutorials

Collaborated with various companies to develop recipes, food photography, and create video tutorials showcasing their products.

Blogger Collaborations

Creating food photography and food video tutorials for companies in partnership with Live Love Nourish:

Exclusive Restaurant Food Menu Photography

  • Street Talk Espresso – Armadale, Melbourne

Product Photography

5 Fun Facts About Me

  • My favorite hobby outside of food: Crocheting.
  • TV shows I can binge-watch: Gilmore Girls & Hart of Dixie.
  • My favorite city: New York City.
  • Phobia: Bathtubs – I have no explanation for this.
  • Intolerance: Quinoa is my archenemy.

Let’s Connect

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