Vanessa D’Souza The Autistic Chef

Chef and Neurodivergent advocate
The Autistic Chef

Award category:

Transport, Retail, Service and Hospitality

Hi, I’m Vanessa D’Souza, The Autistic Chef™. I am a late-diagnosed autistic individual with ADHD, and I face significant sensory processing challenges.

After years of masking to fit in and living a life I thought was expected of me, I am now on a journey of self-discovery to find my authentic self. My only goal is to be ‘me’.

In the last 12-18 months, I reached the semi-finals of MasterChef UK 2023, where I openly shared how my autism and sensory sensitivities affect my cooking, food presentation, and eating habits. I never expected that being honest about my struggles with food and textures would resonate with so many people nationwide. This experience has motivated me to continue being transparent about my challenges and to help normalise the struggles associated with being neurodivergent, especially regarding food.

I am proud to be the only chef making recipes and food accessible to everyone, including those with neurodivergences and disabilities. My hope is to create more awareness and true acceptance of neurodivergent minds like mine.

Some advice I received when starting out was to embrace my uniqueness and let it shine through my work. This has been a guiding principle for me, and it motivates me every day to share my journey, experiences, thoughts, and feelings openly.

Moving forward, I aim to:

Champion neurodivergent acceptance and inclusion.
Raise awareness of neurodiversity through my lived experiences.
Share coping mechanisms and strategies that work for me, especially with food.
Build a strong online neurodivergent community for support.
Celebrate neurodivergent individuals, especially those of colour like me.
I hope to help other neurodivergent people on their own journeys, neurotypicals wanting to learn more about neurodivergent brains, parents or caregivers of neurodivergent and autistic children, and anyone struggling with food or feeding their children.

Through sharing my experiences, I find freedom and hope to inspire others to embrace their true selves.

“I’m honoured to be part of Disability Power 2024. Being an autistic chef has been a challenging journey, filled with both discovery and struggle. My hope is to encourage others to embrace their unique abilities and to advocate for true acceptance of neurodiversity. There’s still a long way to go, but together, we can push for a more inclusive world.”

Q&A

Vanessa D’Souza The Autistic Chef
As someone who’s been on this journey, my advice to a disabled person starting their career is to embrace your uniqueness and be unapologetically yourself. Your differences are your strengths. Surround yourself with people who support and understand you, and don’t be afraid to advocate for the adjustments you need. It’s alright to take your own path and pace. Remember, your journey is valid, and your voice matters. Keep pushing forward and believe in your abilities, because you have so much to offer.
Through my work as The Autistic Chef™, I’ve been able to shine a light on the unique challenges and strengths of neurodivergent individuals, particularly in the culinary world. By openly sharing my experiences on MasterChef UK and beyond, I’ve helped to raise awareness about sensory processing issues and the daily realities of being autistic and having ADHD. My goal has always been to create recipes that are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, and to foster a greater understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity. The positive response from the community has shown me that my transparency and advocacy are making a difference, encouraging others to embrace their true selves and pushing for a more inclusive society.
When it comes to disability advocacy, I am passionate about increasing awareness of autism and advocating for greater inclusion and understanding in society. I aim to utilise my position as a chef to promote acceptance, celebrate neurodiversity, and empower individuals with autism to follow their passions and aspirations. My goal is to work with organisations, take part in events, and share my story to inspire others and nurture a more inclusive and supportive community for people with disabilities.
To switch off and have fun, I enjoy cooking up new recipes in the kitchen, going for a leisurely walk in nature, listening to music, reading a good book, or spending quality time with loved ones. These activities help me relax and unwind, allowing me to recharge and find moments of joy in my day.
What brings me joy is spending time with my family and friends, creating delicious dishes in the kitchen, exploring nature, listening to music, and engaging in meaningful conversations although I love that with food, you often don’t need words. I find joy in simple moments of connection, laughter, and shared experiences that brighten my day and fill my heart with happiness.
Dogs
If I could change one thing, it would be to increase awareness and understanding of autism in society. I would work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for autistic people, where they are accepted for who they are and given the opportunity to thrive and pursue their passions without judgment or barriers. My goal would be to promote acceptance, celebrate neurodiversity, and empower autistic individuals to reach their full potential.
I believe there are several barriers that still need to be addressed to improve the lives of disabled people. Some key areas include: Accessibility: Many physical spaces, public transportation, digital platforms, and services are still not fully accessible to people with disabilities, making it difficult for them to fully participate in society. Attitudes and Stigma: Negative attitudes, misconceptions, and stigma surrounding disability persist, leading to discrimination, exclusion, and limited opportunities for disabled individuals. Employment: There is a need for greater support and inclusive practices in the workforce to ensure that disabled people have equal access to job opportunities, career advancement, and a supportive work environment. Healthcare: Access to quality healthcare services and support tailored to the specific needs of disabled individuals is essential for their overall well-being and quality of life. Education: Inclusive education systems that cater to the diverse needs of disabled students and provide adequate support and resources are crucial for their academic success and future prospects. Addressing these barriers through policy changes, awareness campaigns, advocacy efforts, and community engagement can help create a more inclusive and equitable society for disabled people.

Areas of expertise

Accessibility, Children and young people, Disability Advocacy, Food and drink, Social Media influencing, Television, radio, podcast

Disability Power 100 profile information is self-submitted by the profile subject. Shaw Trust understands and respects that disability and impairment descriptors and language use varies from person to person. Shaw Trust assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or discrepancies in the content of this, or any other, profile page.

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