Creative Parents — Julia Busuttil Nishimura
Julia Busuttil Nishimura is a name well-loved in kitchens across the world for her delicious recipes. For our Creative Parents series, we step into her home to find out more about balancing family life and an inspiring career.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson | Photography: Armelle Habib
Julia Busuttil Nishimura with her two sons Haruki, 7 and Yukito, 2. Photo: Armelle Habib
‘I create recipes for my own cookbooks as well as newspaper and magazine columns and television. I’ve always loved cooking and in my early twenties began writing recipes on my blog, Ostro, which turned into a career in cooking and writing,’ says Julia Busuttil Nishimura. Photo: Armelle Habib
It’s hard to imagine a time before Julia Busuttil Nishimura’s cookbooks became an essential for all kitchens and home cooks. But Julia’s first venture into writing recipes was for her blog, Ostro, in her twenties while working as an Italian teacher at a primary school. After living in Italy, she rediscovered her love of sharing food, something that really began in her childhood with her mum’s homecooked meals.
‘My mum always encouraged me to cook and be creative in the kitchen. She taught me to show love through food,’ says Julia. ‘I hope that’s something my children will take on too. That making something, no matter how simple it might be, is an act of care and love.’
Today, Julia creates recipes for her cookbooks — Ostro, A Year of Simple Family Food, and Around the Table — plus TV, newspaper, and magazine columns like The Design Files, Delicious, SBS Food, and Good Weekend. ‘Writing recipes feels very creative and is an expression of who I am and how I see the world,’ she adds.
After growing up obsessed with cookbooks, embarking on a creative career writing them has been such a highlight for Julia; from the process to seeing her audiences devour her recipes and making them their own. Alongside writing her books, at the start of 2022, Julia began a regular column for Good Weekend and more cooking on TV. ‘It is a space I would like to work in more,’ she adds. ‘It’s challenging but rewarding!’
From traditional Italian cooking to recreating Japanese dishes from her husband, Nori, home country, Julia’s recipes are all delicious and full of love inspired by life.
‘I love how food is part of everyone’s lives. We all have a story to tell when it comes to food, and it is such a rich and diverse medium,’ says Julia. ‘Exploring my culture through food and learning from others is such a wonderful thing. It could be something as simple as a beautiful looking vegetable, or a craving.’
In their inner north Melbourne home, Julia and Nori are joined by their two sons, Haruki, 7 and Yukito, 2. ‘I have always lived around here since moving to Melbourne for university,’ she shares. ‘It’s very close to the city but has a lot of parks and green spaces too. There are great cafes, amazing wine bars and lots of my favourite spots for produce shopping. It’s where I feel most at home.’
‘I grew up completely obsessed with cookbooks so it’s so meaningful to now be a trusted resource for others. My latest book, Around the Table, has probably been my favourite project to work on so far. Being my third book meant I knew what I wanted to achieve and what I needed to do to get there.’ Photo: Armelle Habib
‘There are also challenges of course, and I think there is a constant pull between work and family which can sometimes feel detrimental. But mostly I try to ride the busy wave then really enjoy it when things are a bit quieter.’ Photo: Armelle Habib
“When I lived in Italy in my early twenties, I had an urge to share my recipes with others. It brought joy, comfort and of course deliciousness to people. It felt good and I knew I wanted to continue that.”
A recipe from Julia Busuttil Nishimura’s latest cookbook, Around the Table. Photo: Armelle Habib
‘Generally I have found the industry to be quite supportive. A lot of people I work with have children too and it just comes with the territory that being a creative with children means you need to be flexible.’ Photo: Armelle Habib
A recipe from Julia Busuttil Nishimura’s latest cookbook, Around the Table. Photo: Armelle Habib
Julia Busuttil Nishimura and her husband Nori, with their two sons, Haruki, 7 and Yukito, 2. Photo: Armelle Habib
Unsurprisingly, Julia can often be found in the kitchen; as a result, their open plan home is essential in bringing the family together. ‘It is great to be in one big space together where I can work and the kids can be playing too,’ she says.
Since becoming a mother seven years ago, Julia has reflected on her childhood, remembering times cooking with her mum. But it has also given her drive and motivation. ‘For me, cooking and writing fuels my creativity and being able to have a career which works so well with our family life is really rewarding,’ she says.
Julia has found the industry supportive and cherishes the flexibility it affords her. ‘I think most people understand that, especially since the pandemic,’ she says. ‘The kids are often around on the book shoots and if I need to travel for work, I try and make them a part of it too.’
As such, her days can really vary from photo shoots, writing recipes or attending events to the day-to-day of running a business with shopping for produce, testing recipes, and writing or admin. But with the boys at school, the workdays are a lot shorter, and she tries to put away her computer and spend time together or cooking as a family.
Julia’s advice follows on from this flexibility, being able to slot in downtime when she needs it. ‘It’s a juggle, and it’s wild, but carving out moments of time just for yourself helps. A solo coffee, a midday session with your favourite show or an afternoon bath are all things I love to do to recharge. It means I can focus better on my work and also get some ‘me time’ in before seeing the kids!’