Four years old and kneeling on a barstool so that I could watch over the bubbling tomato sauce is my first memory of cooking. My dad was and is still the main chef in my family. I learnt the majority of my cookery skills from him. How to chop an onion, the right way to peel a leek, perfect roast potatoes, the list goes on. I soaked up all the information like a sponge. And thus began my love for cooking.

What was slightly unforeseen was my decision to expand into baking too. Tasked with making the dessert for Shabbat dinner every Friday, one of sisters and I readily became the head bakers in our family. We taught ourselves cakes, bread, patisserie, you name it, we’ve piped it, baked it, and decorated it.

After university I began to work in my parents’ small food business which is where I developed more skills as a chef as well as a newfound love for teaching cookery. With many years under my belt of finding the easiest and most achievable methods of cooking at home, I decided to start teaching cooking and baking properly. My favourite style of cooking is Jewish and Italian food with some classic recipes from all around the globe.

My cooking ethos has always been that anyone can cook. All you need is to have patience, the right attitude and guidance to build your confidence. That’s why my classes are aimed at people of any age to come along and learn to cook, or bake, in a supportive environment. You will always get to take your dishes back home with you to share with family and friends, as sharing food is at the heart of why we cook in the first place! Secondly, you will always be able to reproduce what we make in class in your own home. While the recipes will always taste exceptional, the equipment and methods will be accessible and using only things you’ll have in your home already so that you can use these recipes for years to come.

Outside of my school kitchen classes, I also do in-home cooking classes. These are great for parties and anniversaries if you want to create a more personalised experience by designing the menu with me. I’ll then come to your home and we’ll make a whole event out of it with me teaching you and your guests how to make some delicious dishes and any drinks/cocktails you want.

I’m also happy to cater small events should you prefer to have food delivered for your special occasion. Again, we will design the menu together and I will drop the food off early to your home or event space. I can cater for up to 20 people.

I hope you find a class or two on my website that inspires you to sign up, and I hope to see you soon!

Anastasia