Q&A with Zee Scott

Whether it's weddings or catering, Zee Scott is your go-to if you're looking for someone to make your special day truly memorable.

Zee's long-standing love for food coupled with some influence from her mum's catering career has seen her dishing up amazing treats since 2007. And in addition to her catering business, she's been helping couples tie the knot as a marriage celebrant for the past seven years.

We're excited to collaborate with Zee as part of our We Wear Cargo Crew campaign and caught up with her in this Q&A to learn more about her business.

1. You are a person of many talents! Can you please introduce yourself and tell us what you do?

Hi, Zee here… well, my full name is Zuleika but not even my parents call me that, so I adopted the nickname ‘Z’ at high school… adding the ‘ee’ when I moved from London to Australia, to stop everyone calling me ‘Zed’!

I am a caterer, baker, Marriage celebrant and MC… quite a mouthful, I know! Oh of course, a partner and Mum too! 

I average 4-5 hours sleep a night, lots of famous ‘creative’ people do; it’s the result of an overactive brain. I have stumbled along many career paths - HR management, Arts administration, Actor, Singer, Dancer… but I never had enough passion for just one path!

My Mum is a retired caterer and I’ve always loved food… nothing fancy, take me to the pub with the best ‘bangers and mash’ and I’m a happy gal! 

I’ve been a caterer since 2007 and a marriage celebrant for just over 7 years. 

There’s no such thing as a ‘typical day’ for me and that’s what I love the most. Every day is varied, fresh and new. Definitely lots of meetings, driving, talking and wearing lots of sequins. 

2. Let's start by talking about your life as a celebrant - how did you get into that?

The answer to this question is the same for quite a few Celebrants… I attended a wedding that was super boring AND by the time I climbed into bed that evening, I had enrolled in an online Celebrant training course… nine months later, I was a registered Celebrant!

I’m a trained performer so, speaking in front of large groups of people is where I’m meant to be. The only difference with a wedding is that I’m not the star of the show, I like to think of myself more as a narrator. I’m a storyteller. I love meeting with my couples and getting to know them. Each ceremony is written for them, I start with a blank page each time. 

I love that every couple is different and that they trust me to tell their story. I love that I get to travel around beautiful Australia and meet amazing people.

Best believe I pinch myself before every wedding and think ‘I’m about to legally marry two people who love each other!’ – what a treat!

3. And now on to your life as a caterer - what inspired you to pursue that?

I get it from my Mama! My Mum is a retired cook and caterer. She is amazing at making pastry all while making it look effortless. 

I recall many a Friday night and Saturday morning hovering around the kitchen and annoying her by requesting the quantity of every ingredient. My Mum is more of a ‘a pinch of that and a pinch of that’ person whereas I am more of a ‘2g of that and 5g of that!’. I would watch her ‘dance’ around the kitchen adding ingredients as I made notes in my notebook with a fluffy top pencil. 

I like to say that I love to cook food that people want to eat, not just stare at. The British me loves British classics like scotch eggs and sausage rolls but my Jamaican heritage yearns for spicy sweet like Jerk chicken with mango salsa!

4. We've loved collaborating to put together a look for you. What do you love most about your Cargo Crew pieces?

Honestly, in 10 years of being a business owner, it never crossed my mind that I would feel so fabulous in a branded uniform!

The ease of waking up and popping on my branded shirt…I immediately feel a thousand times more professional! 

I wash and wear at least two of my Harvest Bib Aprons a day and they still look and feel fabulous. I love that they are sturdy and hardwearing, the quality is amazing. 

The apron pockets are nice and deep which is great when I am on location, I’m forever losing my car keys after popping them down for ‘safe keeping’… not anymore!

The Riviera tops are perfect for Celebrant meetings for that professional look but also for early morning starts. The ¾ sleeves are just the perfect length for adding warmth but not getting in the way of food prep. They are super soft too!

I love my logo and anytime I get to share it is a bonus. The logo embroidery is detailed and completed with care and precision. 

5. And finally, where do you see your business in the future? What are your plans for the next year or two?

My little business is expanding – yay! I’ve been steadily growing for years but have enjoyed working from home and being there for my son so have never really pushed myself. He started school this year and I’m finally ready to ‘give in’ and grow.  My little Studio HQ is being built as we speak.

The studio will host a selection of events, from micro weddings to piping workshops and intimate high teas for special gatherings and bridal showers.

It is everything I have ever wanted, a multi-purpose space for all my passions to be played out…I just have to convince people to come!