Meet Queenie, the food-loving finance guru!

We're absolutely thrilled to welcome our newest First Table Ambassador, the talented finance content creator and passionate foodie, Queenie! 

In addition to helping people make their money go further, Queenie knows a thing or two about savouring the best dining experiences without straining her wallet.

We sat down with Queenie to learn the secrets behind balancing a budget without sacrificing delicious dining experiences, and to get her recommendations on where to eat in Sydney. She also shares her personal connection to food and the joy she finds in discovering new dishes, and recreating them at home.

FT: Welcome to the Ambassador Programme, Queenie! Can you start by telling us a little about yourself and what you do?

Q: Hey, I’m Queenie, and I’m a licensed personal finance content creator. My mission is to help your money go further and I do this by creating educational videos to help inspire you to create a better financial future for yourself and your community.

Whether it be helping you save $10 off your grocery bill, or giving you the tools to help you buy your first home. My mission is to help you on your financial journey.

FT: What inspired you to start sharing your knowledge with other people looking to improve their personal finance?

Q: I was working from home during the pandemic, and 20% of my workforce got stood down. Thankfully, I wasn’t one of them, but I felt awful. I saw the lines in front of Centrelink and I knew that it could be me, and especially if this happened a few years ago when I didn’t have much money and I wasn’t in the best financial situation. So I wanted to create content to give people hope. Even if you’re not in the best financial situation right now, you can always improve it.

FT: What’s the secret to balancing a budget while also treating yourself to great dining experiences?

Q: Checking in on your income and expenses. The first time I did it it was really daunting. I couldn't believe I spent $200 on a pretty average night out at a pub! Nowadays, I set aside a bit of money every month that I spend guilt-free on entertainment. But, I also try to shop around and use apps like First Table so I can save on my food bill, so that budget can stretch further.

FT: What’s the one dish you absolutely couldn’t live without?

Q: My favourite thing to make at home is hotpot with friends! It’s not very hard cleaning up, or even preparing the food because you just cook it yourself in the one pot. And there are so many fun things to add to hotpot in the Asian grocer!

FT: What are some “hidden gem” restaurants in Sydney that other foodies will fall in love with?

Q: There’s an all you can eat Japanese BBQ in Bexley North, called Nishiki. They do all you can eat wagyu, sashimi and more. It’s not cheap, but you get great value if you’re hungry. They have their own farm in the blue mountains.

Not a “hidden gem” but a gem none-the-less, El Jannah has great charcoal chicken and chips!

Sweet Belem for Portuguese tarts!

Saké, a bit more of a fancy Japanese restaurant, but I think it’s nice for a special occasion.

FT: As someone who loves food, how do you find inspiration for your own cooking and entertaining at home?

Q: I think that food is one of the great joys in life! And it’s nice to have something different every now and again. I love trying new foods and recreating them at home. It’s so much cheaper and more satisfying when you make it yourself.

As a First Table Ambassador, Queenie helps foodies find exciting new ways to discover and enjoy great food, without it taking a toll on their personal finances. Her unique blend of personal finance expertise and her enthusiasm for all things food made her an ideal partner for First Table.

You can find Queenie on Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube, her website and on her podcast. If you’re new to First Table, you can also save $5 off of your first booking fee by signing up using her invite link.