This week’s Meet a Member is Belle Vienna Neve who currently lives in San Antonio, Texas
Since you don’t live in Los Angeles how did you end up joining Brits in LA?
I actually moved to Los Angeles in January 2010 from London. This was when I joined Brits in LA. I got very ill by September 2010. The health insurance I had would only cover my treatments back in San Antonio, Texas where my biological mother lives. So I left Los Angeles in 2010. I did move back temporarily in August 2017. Then went to Austria. And now back in San Antonio.
What was your first impression of LA?
When I first arrived in Los Angeles in January 2010, I was overwhelmed by the kindness and gratitude of its people. Regardless of industry, people were very chill and laid back. I was also a teaching assistant at UCLA Extension so it was also nice to be in a classroom that was very diverse. Students came from all around the world and this reminded me of London.
Do you think you could ever see yourself moving back to LA?
I will move back to Los Angeles after the pandemic is under control.
Do you have a hidden gem in San Antonio that you want to share with us?
I love Ostra Restaurant on the San Antonio River Walk. Although they have their own definition of bread pudding, it is also a delightful dining experience.
Why would you recommend other overseas/ out of town readers joining Brits in LA?
“Always Be Learning”. This is a quote that stuck to me. It is by South Korean actor Kim Seon-Ho. It implies you should keep an open mind. This is what I take from it.
We hear you have been working on an exciting project. Care to tell us more about it?
In August 2020, I launched Belle’s Tomato Stew, from a a recipe from my late adopted mother, Dr. Chinelo ‘Celeste’ Okolo who was British-Nigerian. Before Dr. Okolo passed away in 2014, she taught me,
how to make her signature stew! Stew is a popular dish in Nigeria and is used to eat rice, cooked with meats, potatoes, eggs, yams, beans and much more!
You will find that Belle’s Tomato Stew is a great tenderizer for meats too. Belle’s Tomato Stew already has spices in it so you do not have to worry about adding spices, salt and seasoning. It has tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme, oregano, curry, black pepper, rosemary, chicken base, habanero peppers, bay leaves, chicken broth and vegetable oil. The vegan / vegetarian stew is made with vegetable base and organic vegetable broth. My spiciest hot stew has cayenne pepper, black pepper and habanero peppers!
For recipes on how to use Belle’s Tomato Stew, visit the website at www.bellestomatostew.com
I ship nationwide.
Lots of our members join our group Brits in LA seeking out words of wisdom – what is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
My late adopted mother gave me one good piece of advice: “Never give the appearance that you are unstable.” We all have different problems in our lives especially now with the pandemic. You must do your best to be comfortable when facing adversity. That way other people around you can be comfortable as well.
Lastly, how can we find you on the Internet?
Business website: www.bellestomatostew.com
Photography website: www.elleblanchephotography.com
Blog: www.saturnonsea.com
Twitter: Belle_Neve
