My Story: Why Food Became My Biggest Battle
“I Built My Career Around Food—But I Couldn’t Get My Son to Eat.”
I never imagined my greatest culinary challenge would be getting my son to eat. His refusal turned into a daily struggle that shook our entire family, leaving me questioning my abilities as a mother. Despite a career deeply rooted in food, with formal training in culinary arts, diet and nutrition, food writing, and presenting popular TV shows like The Restaurant and children’s cookery programmes, I couldn’t help my own son. The irony was devastating.
The Guilt
“When Nothing Works: The Emotional Toll of Feeding Challenges.”
At first, everything went smoothly. Weaning my son was a dream. He ate everything I prepared. But at 20 months, everything changed. His diet shrank to just ten foods. He lost weight, suffered chronic constipation and stomach cramps, and I felt utterly helpless.
I tried all the common advice: “He’ll eat when he’s hungry,” using timeouts, and even bribing him with dessert. None of it worked.
The guilt was overwhelming. I had built an identity around food, yet I couldn’t get my own son to eat. Every meal became a battle, filled with tension, tantrums, and tears for both of us. My passion for food disappeared, but I knew I had to find a solution, not just for my son but for the sake of our family.
Turning Struggles into Solutions
“How Discovering That Eating Is a Learnt Skill Changed Everything.”
Determined to help my son, I sought out the world’s leading experts in paediatric feeding disorders. I trained in the United States, immersing myself in the psychology and science of children’s eating habits and occupational therapy principles. Discovering that eating is a learnt skill, one that requires patience, practice, and the right environment to develop was life-changing. It wasn’t about quick fixes but creating a long-term solution tailored to my son’s needs.
I tested what I learned with my son, and progress came. Mealtimes turned into laughter, not tears. Alex began ordering off the adult menu at restaurants, and we enjoyed our first holiday without worrying about what he could eat.
Helping Parents, Helping Kids
“I’ve Been Where You Are—Here’s How We Move Forward Together.”
This journey brought me full circle. My career didn’t begin in a classroom; it began at my own kitchen table. As a mom, I’ve been where you are, and I’ve worked through it. My approach is grounded in real-life experience, not just theory.
When Alex started eating and his health improved, it rebuilt my confidence as a parent. That transformation restored my belief in myself and opened my eyes to the real challenge: it’s not just about food; it’s about connection. I don’t just help children eat better, I support parents, empowering them to feel confident and understood.
My work is guided by values I’ve developed through personal experience, professional training, and mentorship: integrity, transparency, empathy, authenticity, and practicality.
I meet parents where they are, offering compassionate, non-judgmental support. My goal is to build confidence, not guilt, in your parenting journey as we work to improve your family’s feeding story.
I believe in honesty and realism, not painting a perfect picture but helping you move forward step by step. My journey with my son taught me that success isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about progress, understanding, and creating a healthier, happier relationship with food and mealtimes.
I don’t offer quick fixes or unrealistic promises because I know there’s no magic feeding wand. What I do offer are practical, evidence-based strategies that build lasting confidence and results.
Heartache to Happiness
“From Tears to Triumph: Finding Joy at the Dinner Table Again.”
Today, my son Alex is happy, healthy, and thriving. He enjoys eating a variety of foods, and we’ve found joy at the dinner table again. Now, as a proud mother of two, including my daughter Lottie-Bow, I feel confident in my ability to handle any challenge that comes our way.
I firmly believe in the saying, ‘When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.’ This phrase holds profound meaning for me. Along this journey, I became a student again, learning not only from world-leading experts but also from my son, who taught me to see food through his eyes. Together, we both relearned how to eat.
Parenting is one of the most challenging and rewarding roles I’ve ever had. Children aren’t born with a handbook. Through my struggles as a mom, I discovered my purpose: becoming a fussy eating expert, teaching parents and children to relearn how to eat and bring joy back to the table.
Explore My Programme That Helps Your Child Build Better Eating Habits
From Food to Feeding: Where My Culinary Journey Began
“From Chef to Feeding Expert: Turning My Passion for Food into Life-Changing Solutions.”
Past 18 Years…
Food has always been at the core of who I am. I studied Culinary Arts at the Dublin Institute of Technology, Cathal Brugha Street, where I refined my skills in creating dishes that nourish both the body and soul. Over the past 18 years, I’ve worked in food consultancy, radio, print media, and television, presenting popular shows like The Restaurant and children’s cookery programmes.
My passion for understanding food’s role in health led me to study Diet, Health, and Nutrition at Dublin’s Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, where I deepened my knowledge of food’s impact on wellbeing.
2018
In 2018, I completed the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding training held at Texas Children’s Hospital in the United States, learning from world-leading experts in paediatric feeding disorders. I built on this foundation through advanced training programmes in children’s feeding with internationally renowned specialists.
Recognising the emotional challenges parents face when their children refuse to eat, I also earned a certification in Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Studies from the Irish Institute of Counselling and Psychotherapy. This training has allowed me to provide thoughtful, empathetic support tailored to each family’s needs.
2021
Since 2021, I’ve had the rare privilege of receiving private mentorship from Dr. Kay Toomey, the world-renowned paediatric psychologist, feeding specialist, and developer of the SOS Approach to Feeding. This continuous mentorship has provided me with advanced insights and evidence-based strategies, reinforcing my commitment to delivering the highest level of support to families. I believe in continuous learning and staying at the forefront of my field, ensuring that every family I work with benefits from the most up-to-date research and techniques.
Professional Recognition
“Endorsed by the World’s Leading Feeding Specialist.”
“I have known Ms. Lennox since 2018 when she became trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding program. Over the years, I have been thoroughly impressed by her passion for lifelong learning and her constant work to grow personally, interpersonally, and professionally.
I believe Ms. Lennox’s breadth of experience, from being a chef, to a parent of a child with feeding challenges, to a feeding specialist, makes her uniquely qualified to provide therapeutic interventions to families, children, and organizations.”
Dr. Kay Toomey
Pediatric Psychologist, Developer of the SOS Approach to Feeding, Feeding Specialist (35 years).
Worked With
