Cooking keeps Matthew Snooke, 23, on a happier path.
The Blue Ribbon Catering and Hospitality-trained Gonubie chef struggles with Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder marked by involuntary movements and vocal tics.
He is so aware of it that his Instagram account is titled “The_Ticking_Chef.”
Matthew’s passion for cooking pushes through. He loves slow-cooked meals and elegant canapés.
On his Insta page, is a feast of his dishes, lamb shank, oxtail, prawn couscous, snack platters loaded with sticky ribs, bacon and Russians, chicken tenders, cheesecake with strawberry coulis sauce topped with chocolate mousse …
The fine foods are one long scroll.
But he suffers. And when it gets really dark, he has mother Lynne Smith, to shine her light.
The love for food started in her kitchen. She drew him in. At the age of seven he was whipping up ingredients.
His skills grew and he is now a slow-cooking aficionado.
Cheffing, food creation, are also a source of streaming light.
But always in the shadows, his tic, and a social and emotional abyss. He has tried to be resilient, he has stood up to stigma, the teasing, bullying. He has tried to explain — as he did with Go! For almost two hours — what is happening to him.
He wants the misunderstanding to end, and strives to be seen as more than his condition.
His tics, which include coprolalia — the uncontrollable utterance of socially inappropriate words or phrases — began appearing in grade 1 and worsened by grade 8, leading to his departure from school. Coprolalia affects only a minority of people with Tourette’s but carries a severe social stigma. “People think I’ve been possessed,” Matthew said. “They’re quick to judge, and that makes it so hard to feel accepted.”
The involuntary slurs that sometimes slip out caused deep rejection, leaving Matthew feeling demotivated and isolated. The stigma meant having to work even harder at his jobs.
But he has soldiered on with his culinary career and is now looking for his next kitchen post. Some have understood and shown patience and compassion. It made him feel valued. But long hours are stressful, and he is overcome by anxiety over judgment calls around his behaviour.
He resigned from his last formal job in March.
“My anxiety gets worse when the environment isn’t friendly. If people respond badly to my tics, it triggers me. I want to work, but it’s hard to feel comfortable in most places.”
Mental health experts note that anxiety and depression frequently accompany Tourette’s, often worsened by social isolation. Matthew says he experiences depression. Mornings are bad.
“Before I go to bed, I feel okay. But when I wake up, it’s like I’ve lost purpose.
“Sometimes I’d rather sleep more because, when I’m asleep, I don’t think dark thoughts.”
His health struggles have been rough for his mom and three siblings. Lynn said: “Last year, Matthew said: ‘Mom, it has been so bad for me, will you be okay if I just die?’ He is asking me for permission,” she said.
“It has been a very hard time. You want to save your child. I support my son with unconditional love.
“I believe God has a purpose for Matthew’s life. Part of his living now is sharing his story.”
Despite the many problems, Matthew holds on tight to hope. Medication helps control his tics but comes with side effects of a dry mouth, loss of appetite, and fatigue.
“Tourette’s is something I’ll live with, but I hope my mental health gets better with time. I want to fully focus on building my own business and showing the world what I can do.”
He speaks with determination about attaining financial independence and dreams of owning his own kitchen. He finds inspiration in others with Tourette’s, like singer Lewis Capaldi, and hopes his story will inspire awareness and acceptance.
Matthew is adamant: “I am not defined by Tourette’s. I’m unique. I’m resilient. I just wish people would educate themselves and understand instead of judging me.”
The Tourette Syndrome Association of SA raises awareness, but much more is needed to take down the stigma.
Matthew speaks of a future where society focuses on kindness and understanding rather than judgment, where talents and hearts shine brighter than any tic.
Where people like him with potential and talent are recognised and celebrated.
The problem, ultimately, is about us, not Matthew. We need greater understanding and education about Tourette’s in SA.
