"Try a bit harder," was the iconic punch that propelled Natalie Braier into the matchmaking ring. One Sunday morning in 2001, her 35-year-old cousin hosted a brunch at his new bachelor pad in London. In strolled a charming young lady who caught Braier's eye. The cousin said she didn't seem interested. "I think she will be. Just try a bit harder," she urged. The prescription worked rather well - 15 years and two kids later, her inspiration has been triumphantly vindicated.

Braier could fill a book with the stories of the twists and turns on the road to the chupah. In truth she is the accidental matchmaker - the most natural kind, who intuitively connects people she comes across all the time in her daily life, be it through work, synagogue, weddings, dinner parties and events.

As a professional tax consultant, she has spent many years connecting with people and managing their expectations. Doing so romantically is not entirely different. She fell into it naturally, quickly building a reputation as an innovative matchmaker. Raised in Golders Green, living almost a decade in New York and now in St John's Wood, Braier is the ultimate international networker. Born to a Belgian mother and British father she speaks French and has been well travelled since a very young age. That probably explains why every match she has made is mixed nationality. You would have thought that these days - with online dating sites, social networking and mass events - there would be little need for the traditional matchmaker. On the contrary, the problem is that dating has actually become dauntingly technical and contrived. "Social events labelled 'single' attract the people you actually don't want to meet," says Braier. "And then you have the big events, where it's not easy to meet people because it's a bit of a balagan," she continues. "In any event the last place you want to be is in a room full of people who have 'we are desperate to get married' written all over their faces."

Having not found Mr Right herself Braier is all too aware of the challenges out there for a sophisticated professional, and so brings a unique, fresh approach to dating. "I do for matchmaking what Nigella has done for home cooking," she says. Besides introducing people to each other, she also organises friendly, informal dinners or charity events that are not advertised as that biggest of turn-offs, "singles evenings". She has introduced a successful new venture, Friday Night Chic in London. "What my people want is a cosy environment of, say, a Shabbat dinner at shul, lots of alcohol, friendly hosts, excellent food and a speaker. It's a lot of work, costs a lot to organise, but often pays off."

Braier invited a Dutch friend to one Friday Night Chic dinner in the winter of 2013. He brought along his Dutch friend. After one look at the "very tall, handsome man", she had a good vibe and strategically placed her Roman friend next to him. The two were married in June 2014. She says it's actually more productive when married couples attend these events together with singles. First, it takes away from the occasion the dismal label "singles" event, and it creates a real opportunity for networking. "They may just happen to have a single brother, sister or friend available," she points out.

Using her culinary skills, she also hosts her own dinner parties, carefully drawing up her guest list to include a variety of interesting people - "not all single", she insists. "The relaxed atmosphere and good food lend themselves to a really enjoyable night out, and the ice is quickly broken. This is really the best way of meeting people," she confirms.

Currently she is co-organising a Sunday brunch for the charity Zaka, which will take place in May. She is also looking into organising a retreat in Israel over Shavuot. "Even though love is the goal, it shouldn't be just about that," she says. "It's more the other way round. First and foremost you have a good time, and hopefully you find love along the way."

As for setting up people on dates, it's highly intuitive. "It's a bit of a sixth sense I just know what goes with what - it's a bit like my cooking."

She has three rules for making a match. "I self-select to start with. I only introduce people who are intelligent, look good and are family minded. Religiously appropriate is also important. So if one party keeps Shabbat, it's essential the other does too - otherwise you know there will be problems." Another rule: Braier will not set up people more than six years apart in age, although she has no problem if it's the girl who is older.

But she doesn't just launch the ship and hope it stays on course. No, she keeps a close eye on the situation. It could be to offer original ideas about where to go on a date, or simply to provide a lesson in etiquette - urgently needed at times to avert a disaster.

One young woman Braier had set up rang her bitterly saying "he's not coming to pick me up, he wants me to meet him somewhere". So she phoned the guy pretending not to know this information and said by the by, "of course you're picking her up". Disaster averted - and they did end up getting married.

Braier is generally drawn to connecting like-minded people, rather than opposites. "Generally I'd say no to opposites. However, an alpha male may be looking for a more docile female, and vice versa. One of my couples is like that - he's a hot-shot doctor and she is a gentle home-maker."

While she could have quite easily turned her matchmaking skills into a business, she chooses to keep it a passion, charging nothing, as it's a mitzvah (although she wouldn't say no to a nice thank-you gift!). According to Jewish tradition three successful matches guarantee one a place in heaven.

Thanks to her success, Braier is well and truly sorted.