Elizabeth Carty was born in Ireland but has spent most of her adult life abroad. She has had a lifelong interest in food, owing her initial palate development to her mother, whom she describes as a fine cook with a modest repertoire. Later, during her time living in London, Greece and Dubai, she was introduced to a wide array of cuisine styles, which inform her cooking today. She returned to Ireland with her son in 2000. A recent divorcee, she had no job, no home and very little money. She worked by day, and studied at night and qualified as an accountant in 2006. Her love of cooking and entertaining, and her knowledge of doing so on a tight budget, led her to found the Shrewd Food website, with her son, in 2009. It has generated a huge response from enthusiastic foodies, both in Ireland and abroad. Elizabeth feels we have an advantage here in Ireland, where our fresh meat and vegetables are of an extremely high quality.