Hi, I'm Emma, the proud owner of Cook Stars Molesey to Leatherhead.
Having completed a degree in hotel and catering management, I started off working in the hospitality industry but very quickly realised that managing family life around the unsociable working hours was going to be tricky. I re-trained as a teacher and have been able to utilise my knowledge and skills to teach both food & nutrition and business studies in London, Sussex and Surrey schools.
I have loved teaching; it is especially rewarding to teach young people practical cookery skills and give them the knowledge they need to eat healthily. After 30 plus years in education, however, it was time for a change, and I am excited to continue my food journey with Cook Stars.
I am a keen environmentalist as well as a big foodie, so I am really interested in how we can improve the sustainability of our diets by eating with the seasons. When I am not in the kitchen, you can often find me on the allotment, and it has been great fun finding new ways to cook the fruit and vegetables we have grown, (a few too many courgettes as always!)
I am a mother of grown-up sons, who eat a lot - thank goodness we have chickens for a plentiful supply of eggs! I have loved seeing them develop their own love of cooking and baking and it's great when they send me photos of the dishes they have made.
My children started cooking with me at a young age, and I love that Cook Stars enables children of all ages to cook and learn about food in a fun way. There is nothing better than being able to take home something you have cooked for your family, and seeing the children's pride and enjoyment when they have made something great, really makes this the best job in the world.
I can't wait to welcome your children to my classes and workshops!
Emma X