Cancer survivor chef Nina launches healthy granola business

Nina Cristinacce (48), pictured, who works full time as a chef in The Guillemot Deli in Bangor, began making her own granola when she was being treated for breast cancer and was making sure she had a healthy diet.

The mum-of-three said: “I became a lot more aware of the ingredients in breakfast cereals and the amount of sugar they contain. Making my own granola meant I knew exactly what I was eating in the morning and it was a good start to the day.

“Then, about two years ago, I started thinking about doing something with it and making it into a viable business. I started experimenting with different recipes for granola, looking at making granolas that were really low in sugar or had no nuts in them.”

There was a favourable response from friends and family who tried the granolas, but it was only when Nina was furloughed during the spring lockdown that she took the leap and launched the Morning Glory Granola Company in June.

“I was furloughed for five weeks at the beginning of the pandemic and I got to the point where I thought I needed to try it. It was probably the best thing I’ve ever done,” she said.

She now supplies a number of coffee shops and makes a bespoke granola for Guillemot Deli.