Rising YouTube star radiates warmth from her kitchen while blending cultures, one recipe at a time.
“It’s four miles by eight miles, with a population of 95,000 people. It’s like a small village,” she says of her home island. “It’s beautiful – full of countryside fields and surrounded by the sea. We’ve got some beautiful beaches. And we are quite self-sufficient. We try to grow most of our own vegetables and our own chickens. It’s an adorable place to live.”
For those who stop in to say “hello” or come by to fix the plumbing, there will always be cake on the cake stand and English Breakfast tea ready in the kitchen. “Gran used to say, ‘Why go to the trouble of making one cake when you can fit six in your oven?’”
De La Haye says Gran taught her to be careful with her pennies and how to make food go further. “You would never put just a roast in the oven on a Sunday. On the bottom shelf and the top shelf, you had things cooking for the Monday meal or the Tuesday meal so you were using the same electricity and cooking more than one thing.”
Discovered by The Beesleys
Her son, James, and daughter-in-law, Millie, introduced De La Haye to the world through their YouTube Channel, “The Beesleys.” Originally, the two would share their love of sporting events and visits to national parks and landmarks in America; however, more and more they find themselves seated at Vicki’s dinner table with fork in hand discussing what Mum is making in the kitchen and anticipating the next delicious dish.
“The only Meatloaf I’ve ever heard of is the band,” says Millie to followers in her very British way.
Their fondness for all things American resonates with their audience. “We love the fact that Americans love America so much. You adore your country and it just shines through. And there’s so much opportunity there. You embrace opportunity and feel like you can achieve anything. Also, the main thing is the people are so kind, they are so welcoming. This is why I started doing the cooking videos, because I felt confident enough that you would warm to me. You gave me the confidence and inspiration to start to try to create your Southern comfort classics.”
With a generous splash of optimism, a heaping tablespoon of determination, a rich blend of authenticity and a sizzling desire to help others, De La Haye has accomplished much, including working with Dolly Parton and extending her Imagination Library to the UK. Together, the two are fostering a love for reading among children across the pond, especially those who can’t afford their own books, starting with De La Haye’s own children’s series, “The Adventures of Summer the Pony.”
Through her success in business and passion for helping others, she has been honored with the international ATHENA Leadership Award.
Feeding Others is Her Love Language
Multi-talented, brimming with charisma and completely at ease on camera, De La Haye radiates warmth from her kitchen to viewers all over the world while showing them how to elevate their cooking, from preparation to presentation.
Pointers include what cuts of meat to use for an American pot roast, why it’s important not to overbeat the eggs and how to crease unbaked bread to create that separation on top for a professional chef-baked appearance.
“I want people to feel like they are in the kitchen with me. I love chatting them up, telling stories about Gran and Pops, Moo the dog and my brave husband’s day at sea,” she says, referring to Jonathan’s work as a fisherman in deep icy waters in and outside of the British Channel.
“He’s not a troller. Sustainability is so important to us for the oceans and the sea,” she says. “We have 2,000 lobster pots. He catches lobster and king crab daily. He even goes out in force seven gale, that’s about 40-mile-an-hour winds, with four- to seven-foot waves crashing over the boat.”
Through their family business, Jersey Seafood, they deliver their fresh catch from their 58-foot catamaran to the main restaurants on the island and elsewhere in England, France and Germany.
Teatime and Other Meaningful Rituals
De La Haye also reminds followers of the meaningful rituals centered around food. “Family is the most precious thing. There’s always an open door. There’s always caring and sharing. That’s what life is about. It is so priceless to have people around you.”
While raising her daughter, Lauren, and son, James, dinner was an important time to catch up with each other. “It just brings you closer together because there are so many distractions in life. Even if it’s just sitting down to Sunday dinner and sharing concerns or something about your day, you have to make time for that.”
And of course, there’s the pause in the day for teatime.
“We drink a lot of tea here – often 10 or 15 cups a day. There’s always the debate about whether the milk goes in first. But that’s what the Queen did, so I always go with a drop of milk in first.”
And if you are having marmalade or jam with your toast, British etiquette says you don’t spread it on all at once. “You butter your toast, if you want butter on it, cut your toast in half and put a spoon of marmalade on your saucer or plate. Then with a small knife, like a cake knife, you pick up your toast, put a little bit of marmalade or jam on the edge and eat the edge delicately. Then you add another little bit. Pops taught me that.”
Part of the charm of De La Haye’s videos is the setting of her working kitchen amidst a busy household and things she can’t control, like Moo the boxer under her feet or the tractor going back and forth outside.
American Classics Made with Ease and Class
“For us as a family, it’s been absolutely lovely to make your comfort foods because it’s gotten us to try different meals. I tried your fried chicken and now I’m making it all the time! It’s gorgeous!”
For American classics made easy with a proper British twist and a professional presentation, watch De La Haye in action making clam chowder, peach cobbler, meatloaf and other traditional favorites on The Beesleys’ YouTube channel. Also, visit Zonie Living on StarWorlwideNetworks.com as she demonstrates how to make a quick pound cake to have at the ready for the holiday season.
“I think all food should look pretty. Just dress it up with a little bit of fruit,” she says. “At Christmastime, you can add a little holly to the side or a few berries. When you get excited about food and cooking, you just naturally want to do that.” FBN
By Bonnie Stevens, FBN
Courtesy Photo: De La Haye enjoys raising chickens and cooking with farm-fresh eggs and vegetables.
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