Cakes, Ottolenghi and the Fire Horse child

Helen Goh's life story began with a complicated childhood — and blossomed into one about culture, cake and the meaning of life.

Helen was born in Malaysia in the year of the Fire Horse. This zodiac birth year was a big threat to the Gohs, and her parents had to make a heartbreaking decision that would affect the family for a generation.

The Gohs eventually immigrated to Australia, and Helen went on to sell pharmaceuticals to doctors, before she pursued her honours in psychology.

A stint as a cafe owner followed, then Helen went back to basics as a chef's apprentice in Melbourne.

She followed her heart to London, and encountered an 'Aladdin's cave' of goodies in a deli in Notting Hill, which was owned by Yotam Ottolenghi.

Helen has come to understand the psychological benefits of baking, and now interweaves two of her life's enduring interests.

Helen's book Baking and The Meaning of Life is published by Murdoch Books.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Alice Moldovan. The Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

This episode explores insecure attachment, attachment styles, coherence, purpose and significance in life, so you think horse, Yotam Ottolenghi, Year of the Fire horse, Notting Hill, Helen Goh's chocolate cake, Helen Goh recipes, baking for charity, raising money, bake sales, two careers, how to have two careers, baker, baker and psychologist, studying psychology, lemon curd, Women's Weekly, Malaysia, Nonya, Nyonya, foster child, fostering children, complicated family, raising Jewish boys, sweet, cookbook and cooking.