True characters

Mona Wise, writer and blogger

I am originally from Mayobut grew up in Galway and spent time in the US as a child. Mum and Dad were teachers so we used to visit my aunt in Ohio for the summers. In 1994 I went to visit her for a few weeks and stayed for 15 years.

That was where I met "the chef", my husband Ron. I met him the old- fashioned way – in a bar, in Kentucky. It was love at first sight for me. He took a lot of convincing.

We came back to Ireland, to Galwayin 2008 just in time for our daughter to start school.

The best advice I've ever been givenwas on my wedding day, from my mother. She told me if my relationship was 80 per cent happy and 20 per cent wanting to kill him, then I'd have a happy marriage. Mammy is always right.

We have two adopted children (from America), Rory Belle is 8 and Jack is 7. We are also full-time/long-term foster parents to two gorgeous Galway girls.

Being a mother is, as cliched as it sounds, the hardest job I have ever had.

It gives me a buzz whensomeone says they like one of my photos. I am such an amateur and cannot wait to graduate so I can take lessons.

The hardest thing about what I do isfinding confidence in what I do. My blog, WiseWords.ie, is a constant reminder to me that people like to read my words and love listening to my stories. I have worked very hard at trying to figure out how to engage an online audience and it is much like in real life. I talk to people. I respond to all the comments and I visit them in their "virtual home" if they keep popping in to visit me.

If I wasn't doing this I'd bebartending. There is something sacred about how safe I feel behind a bar. Close enough to hug someone I like and enough of a barrier between me and the ones I would rather not deal with.

The food scene in Irelandis changing, thank goodness. The quality of meat, fish and dairy products is outstanding but the perception of tourists, and many of the natives, needs convincing.

When I'm not workingI like to sit outside watching our flock of fowl. We have ducks, hens, turkeys and guinea fowl. They provide endless entertainment.

My earliest food memoryis a soft boiled duck egg. The alabaster blue shell, the rich red yolk and almost opaque firm egg white. I think I was about seven when my Mum got her first clutch of ducks. This is still my favourite food today.

The best thing Ive ever eaten isa sea urchin in Trapani, Sicily. Still alive, brought from the sea to the table. I will never forget that taste. Native Galway Bay Oysters are a sure second though.

I'm passionate aboutmy family. We work very hard at making it work. Every day, the chef and I have a quiet breakfast together before the kids wake up and we discuss what is going to happen today. One day at a time.

I'm really good atplanning. I was a wedding planner for 10 years.

Not many people know this about me, butI love ironing and washing dishes. I am a chronic daydreamer. Both of these jobs can be done while your mind is elsewhere.

My guilty pleasures aretortilla chips, beer, homemade salsa and guacamole.

The Chef I . . . a Nourishing Narrative is available from kennys.ie, €24.95.

In conversation with Marie-Claire Digby