Earlier this year, we came across aspiring chef Cam McKie after he helped RNZ journalist Anusha Bradley get her car out of a Napier ditch.
Cam, who hosts the Facebook page and 'recovery journal" Cam's Food Adventures, tells Jesse Mulligan their on-air chat in June was a turning point for him.
"Pretty much everything has happened from the interview, how Anusha parked her car in a drain … I'm incredibly humbled with what she's done. It's been a solid foundation and it's been the inspiration for me to just keep doing what I'm doing."
Photo: Cam McKie / Facebook
Cam, who is in recovery for alcohol and methamphetamine addiction, tells Jesse he's taken a step back from Facebook this year to care for his daughter Bailey and also to study.
He recently graduated top of his class for Level 3 NZ Certificate of Cookery at Eastern Institute of Technology.
It was really inspiring to learn from top chefs and fellow students, he tells Jesse.
"To be honest with you've always been a little bit shy cooking for people because I never really knew the stuff I was cooking was any good.
"It was just an incredible feeling knowing the hard work that I've put in post-treatment has gone to something really helpful for me and my recovery."
Bailey is proud of how far her father has come, Cam says.
"It's very hard sometimes to see where you've come from, but getting that top student award and just spending time with her, it's just incredible, eh? So many years of neglecting not only myself but my child as well, to have this big turnaround is really cool."
Cam tells Jesse it's essential for him to stay connected with others, which he does that through food. He's also not afraid to ask for help when he needs it.
"If I notice myself slipping into bad thoughts I can reach out and talk stuff out. I can get vulnerable with males I look up to in recovery."
It's a beautiful thing when others who are struggling reach out to him through Facebook, Cam says.
"If I can be loud and proud about my recovery someone might not have to suffer in silence. It could be that wee gem someone needs to admit having a problem or just reach out for help."
But he's also not afraid to put an end to private communication with someone if he feels uncomfortable.
"I'm very aware of what's going on within myself now and that helps me every day. I got all those basic life skills from [Hawke's Bay addiction treatment centre] Spring Hill. That place is just incredible… it's rebirthing people, eh? I went in there extremely broken and came out a completely different version of myself, a better version of myself.
Summertime used to be about partying with mates, Cam says, but it'll be different his year.
"Where I was then, having a beer and a pipe for breakfast was what you did. Now I can actually give myself some sustenance with a proper breakfast … and I don't have the desire to drink anymore."
Before he begins his NZ Certificate of Cookery Level 4 next March, Cam is keen to do some hunting and diving with Bailey.
"If anyone's got somewhere for me to go for a hunt, for my daughter and I, I'd happily come along and swap an experience like that for something nice on a plate."
Cam shares two of his recipes: Cream Paua - "everyone that eats it is like 'oh my god, can I have some more?" - and a delicious dessert that's also been a hit with friends and family - Lime & Ginger Panna Cotta.
Some more of Cam's cooking:
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