SIF ORELLANA

Hello, I'm Sif!

I am a Danish mother of three, publisher, 7 times award-winning cookbook author & photographer, stylist and educator based in Aarhus, Denmark. I frequently appear as a chef, compère, guest speaker, lifestyle consultant and debater on Danish television channels, and occasionally I give lectures and write food, travel & lifestyle articles for Danish magazines. 

TINKERBELL BOOKS
I have worked in cultural life as head of marketing and event manager for 12 years but chose to bring a long-felt heart-driven dream to life in 2009 by founding my own publishing house, Tinkerbell Books ApS. Since then Tinkerbell Books has, to my great joy, turned into a reputable Danish publisher of cookbooks and works about lifestyle, travel and personal development - amongst others the Danish editions of the vegetarian cookbooks, Vegetarian Everyday & Green Kitchen Travel, by Luise Vindahl and David Frenkiel, the popular Danish/Swedish couple behind the top-inspiring award-winning food blog Green Kitchen Stories.

PUBLISHED 12 COOKBOOKS
My debut cookbook was published in 2004 and has sold in over 110.000 copies alone in Denmark. Since then I have created and published nine cookbooks and one self-development book. Six of my cookbooks have been named "Best in Denmark' within their category and nominated for 'Best in the world' by "Gourmand World Cookbook Awards". My latest big family cookbook (based on all my own recipes, food stories and photos) was in June 2015 named number 2 in “Best in the World” by Gourmand International and my book "Healthy Sweet tooth" from 2016 was in December 2016 named "Best in Denmark" and nominated for "Best in the World". Such an honor and wonderful recognition, that I couldn't be more grateful for. 

PHOTOGRAPHY
When I signed the contract for my first cookbook with Gyldendal (the biggest publishing house in Denmark) back in 2003, I bought a professional DSLR camera, and since then my camera and I have been almost inseparable. I love to create visual stories about food, lifestyle, beauty, health, nature, people and travel experiences, and regard myself as both a visual and text-based storyteller. 

Throughout the years I have attended a long number of International food & lifestyle photography and styling courses, workshops, and retreats with some of my biggest inspirers in the field of photography and styling.  Along the way, I have had the pleasure to grow a huge network of photographers, stylists, creators of magazines, cookbook writers, and food, lifestyle & travel bloggers from all over the world.

AMERICAN BOOK PROJECT
Currently, I'm working on my first book for the International market, named My Happy Danish Kitchen - a project I invest heart and soul in. Being a writer has been a dream, since I was a little girl and experiencing my books in the hands of an International audience fills me with gratitude and joy.

GREENILICIOUS
Rooted in my profound passion for food and a strong wish to make it easier for people to make healthy choices, I opened up the doors to an organic, and plant-based café in Aarhus called Greenilicious February 2017 together with two friends and partners. We shared the dream of inventing a menu that took green and delicious eating to new heights - loaded with vegetables, seeds, and grains as well as quality meat.

SISTERHOOD RETREATS
In 2017 I also launched Sisterhood Retreats, a travel-based workshop and retreat company, through which I host and conduct workshops, day courses, one-on-ones, and retreats all over the world around photography, creative business development, styling, writing, cookbook creation, and healthy cooking. Creating a safe and nurturing learning space for like-minded creative souls has been a long-felt dream, and to get to know dreamers and achievers from all parts of the world and share my experiences, tools, and knowledge with them, is so gratifying, precious and meaningful to me.

EDUCATION
I have a master's degree in literature and mass communication from Aarhus University (DK), with additional post-graduate qualifications from the Danish School of Media and Journalism. I am a certified yoga instructor, and for the time being, I am studying a Master's degree in positive psychology at Aarhus University. 

FOOD PHILOSOPHY & FEAST APP
Read more about my food philosophy and my contribution to the International food app Feast, that was chosen as a 'Best new app' by Apple just a week after launch by clicking here.

CONTACT
Please feel free to ask, if you have any questions at all. Click the button below to get in touch.