Laura Bleyendaal (née Brooks)

Having an interest in food, health, and cooking from quite a young age, Laura Bleyendaal (née Brooks, Head Girl 2008) decided to select Food Technology as a subject from Year 11. One highlight she remembers was when, with guidance from Head of Technology, Allyson Duncan, the students were able to create their own multi-course menu, which they served to their families.

During Food Technology, Laura loved being able to express herself creatively in the kitchen as well as testing her practical and time management skills. Combining this subject with the sciences and undertaking Postgraduate studies in Health Sciences and Nutrition at the University of Otago has allowed her to pursue a career she is really passionate about.

Today, Laura works as a Women’s Health Nutritionist (HER Nutrition), specialising in hormone health, gut health, and specific conditions such as PCOS and thyroid issues. She says much of how we feel and function stems from the foods we consume and how the nutrients present serve our health or detract from it.

She is grateful to the Food Technology Department and Allyson Duncan for giving her a foundation and confidence in this area. In the future, Laura aims to develop a female-centred nutritional supplement to support women’s bodies at a cellular level.