Donna Hay's Coastal Celebrations: A Personal Culinary Journey at Home
What on earth are we going to have for dinner? This timeless question plagues even the most organised home cooks, and it turns out that celebrated Australian food icon Donna Hay is no exception. The renowned cookbook author, publisher, and host of Disney's new food series, Coastal Celebrations, admits she still flips through cookbooks for inspiration—often her own.
"The funny thing is, I have a big stack of my books next to my desk, and I will grab an older one and think, 'Oh, I love this book,'" Hay tells STM. "I put Post-it Notes on some old recipes to revisit them. It's weird looking back through them all—I find myself saying, 'Wow, I was obsessed with this recipe back in the day! Why haven't I cooked it in so long?'"
A Decade-Spanning Career
Over a career spanning three decades, Donna Hay has become a household name in Australia and made a significant impact on the global culinary scene. Starting as a freelance food writer at just 19, she quickly rose to become Marie Claire's food editor, released her first cookbook, and saw her self-titled magazine distributed in over 80 countries within a decade. To date, she has published 28 cookbooks and hosted numerous TV cooking shows.
Her Most Personal Project Yet
Her latest venture, Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations, premiering on Disney Plus on April 1, is her most personal series to date. Filmed at various stunning coastal locations in New South Wales, the first episode features Hay cooking in her own home kitchen, with friends and family dropping by to share meals. This setting offers an aspirational yet relatable delight for viewers.
"I have always separated work from home, and I've really struggled previously to find the perfect house to cook in. I never really felt comfortable," Hay admits. "I am not an actress; I can cook and tell a joke, but that's about it. So, finding a location with a great view for the international audience where I feel comfortable is important."
Ultimately, the only suitable place was her own home. After a renovation to turn the kitchen around for filming, she was ready. "I don't shoot with a big crew—I like a small, tight team—so it was a smooth transition to say, 'OK, this is my house, I feel really comfortable here,'" she explains, noting the stunning Sydney Harbour backdrop visible during our Zoom call.
Inspiring Home Cooks Everywhere
Fans of Donna Hay will adore the series' direction, featuring her easy-to-make, visually appealing menus that personify her distinctive style. The food is presented beautifully but remains approachable and imaginable for everyday cooks. While viewers may not have multimillion-dollar harbour views, Hay encourages creativity with what they have.
"I have always thought that to motivate people to cook, the food had to look fantastic," she says. "I really want to motivate people into action—that is my ultimate goal. I want cooks hosting guests to know they can make their table look special without buying more plastic or disposable items."
In the first episode, Hay repurposes an old soup terrine and an antique gravy boat as vases and table decorations, achieving beautiful results. "This is all about using what you have around," she explains. "It's about items from thrift shops or gifts from your nanna that you never thought you'd use. It's all about, 'let's have a look at that and see how gorgeous that can be.'"
Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations begins streaming on Disney Plus from April 1, offering a fresh, intimate look at one of Australia's culinary legends.
