Facebook 'How to feed a family of 6 for under $20' sensation Jas McPhee

Jas McPhee says she gets her passion for helping others and her love of people from her father, Bishop Brian Tamaki. Photo / Duncan Innes

Jas McPhee’s Facebook page, How to Feed a Family of 6 for Under $20, started two years ago. Now, more than 78,000 people like her page and the first print run of her recipe book has sold out. She talks about success, poverty and her famous father.

1. What was your childhood like?
I grew up quickly through having a younger brother and sister. Being responsible for them, making their lunches, putting them to bed, hanging out the washing before school. My dad is Brian Tamaki. So my parents were always out doing the [Destiny] Church and counselling families. They weren't wealthy. I can remember Dad used to make homemade hot chips or we'd have Wattie's tomato soup with toast fingers " quite budget meals but we never saw it like that because we were just happy, we always had full tummies.

2. You and your dad both have huge followings. Have you inherited his charisma?
I think I get my passion from my dad. He does what he does with a roar, 100 per cent, whether people agree with it or not. My passion is helping families. But I didn't plan to do this. It all started when I would see all the kids down at our local shops, eating hot chips and drinking fizzy. For the same amount of money I made a lamb curry for my family and that was the first recipe that I shared on my page. I thought a few mums might be interested. Now I've got likers from 32 countries.

People have wanted to buy the page off me. But I'm like, oh man, how could I do that to all these awesome people and sell it to someone who doesn't carry the vision that I do? Helping people is its own reward, it's addictive. We've done things on the page like raising money for cancer patients. People trust me.

3. How did you learn to cook?
I had a grandfather - my mum's dad - who had been a solo dad and was a great baker and cook. When my parents were working he looked after us and from age 2 I would stand on my stool and help. He'd make loaves, ginger gems, savoury meals like pies and stews. I'd be chopping up little pieces of potato and carrot. Now my kids help me cook. That's part of breaking the cycle of takeaways.

4. Is cooking a dying art?
I get messages on my page like "how do I boil an egg?" I can't answer every one but if I know it's a mum or a nana then I'll take the time to talk them through it.

5. How did you meet your husband Vance?
I was his daughter's early childhood teacher. I was married to someone else then. A few years later, I bought a car from him and that's when we started talking and dating. Now we have two children together and I also have two teenagers from my first marriage. But Vance is a dad to all my kids, he's awesome like that. We went through a tough time when we got together. We were really low. I wasn't actually talking to my parents - we didn't have any financial support. And that's when I learned to budget.

6. Do you attend Destiny Church?
I do go to Destiny. I haven't always. I've never pushed the religious side of my beliefs through the page. And I'm quite open to different situations - I mean I've been divorced, I've been bankrupt, I was a solo mum on a benefit. That's why I can relate to a lot of messages I get. I'll say, "yeah, I know what it's like to have a husband like that."

7. How did you come to be bankrupt?
I bought a house and I got tenants in and they didn't pay the rent, so I got new tenants and they didn't pay the rent either. I was working at a bank who were being really patient with me with regard to payments. But then I had a baby so I stopped working. Vance was working in retail but it wasn't enough. I was made bankrupt. It was kind of mindblowing. Having to buy nappies and formula and then only having $30 left for food. Our lowest point was when we had no power and we were trying to heat baked beans over a candle. Going to a food bank was humbling because you don't get to choose what they give you. A box of couscous - what's that? So for me it was learning to make do. I would have flour and then realise that with a little bit of oil I could make a pastry and then I'd put eggs in it and make a pie.

8. What makes you happy?
To feed others and hear them say "this is so delicious". It's my gift, the thing that I do best. When you're a mum and you're busy, driving kids around, going to meetings, just to come home and bake some cookies is therapeutic. Or baking a cake and icing it with fondant - that takes hours but it's "me time" while I'm still in the house with my kids.

9. What kinds of recipes are most popular?
For Kiwis, it's desserts. I can get 1000 "shares" on a dessert. An Oreo cheesecake I did went crazy. As did the golden syrup steamed puddings.

10. Do we worry too much about sugar?
A lot of children in South Auckland have to get their teeth pulled out, so it doesn't hurt to look at sugar and take responsibility for what we feed our children. I've got a 7-year-old boy who is overweight compared to my other children; he eats the same diet but his body just stores fat quicker. That's made me think, "What am I giving my children? What can I change?" I'm not real hard-out on that, but, yeah, processed and packaged food is everywhere and we do need to get back to making some stuff. Cut out fizzy. My children only have water.

11. Were you scared when you learned you were pregnant at 16?
I was really scared - just the disappointment that it brings to any family, but especially with my parents and their belief systems. I got offered an abortion through my school but for me it just wasn't an option. And I don't regret it. I've got a 19-year-old now and we're good friends. My first marriage just kind of felt like two 17-year-olds. And then later there was infidelity so it was tough. I made the decision [to end the marriage]. My family wasn't happy but I stuck to my guns.

12. How is your relationship with your dad?
I really love my dad. He loves people. That's where I get it from. When I read these stories about him I just wish people knew him. You could never have a daughter like me if you were robbing people, because I'm a giver. If people only knew that he was like me or I am like him. He's a cool guy. Sometimes he comes into the kitchen and goes, "That could have done with a little bit more of this or that." He's the only person who's allowed to come into my kitchen and tell me to change things and I'll take it.