As a professional chef, I am often asked what people should think about when planning the layout and storage within their kitchen. Obviously, while the kitchen is the hub of any home, it’s for cooking, so thinking through the process and needs you have when preparing meals will enable you to design a layout that […]
Entertaining is such a social activity and there can be few things more satisfying than cooking a first-class meal for friends and relaxing with them to share it and enjoy the conversation. These are the things of which special memories are made. Witness the popularity of television shows such as Come Dine with Me, Saturday […]
Like millions of others I love watching Great British Bake Off every week and it is interesting to watch the contestants from a professional point of view. Not just as someone who has written a book on all aspects of baking, but also as a teacher. I have one big beef with the format though. […]
With teenage children myself, I know many mums who are looking to get back into work but are unsure of what exactly they are qualified to do. For many women who choose to give up or reduce their careers in order to look after their children, going back to work again is the hardest part. […]
Every parent who has sent their children off to university has experienced that moment of panic over whether or not they will actually be able to feed themselves – I know I certainly have. The fear is they will resort to a diet based exclusively on microwave rice and cheap frozen pizzas because they are […]
Turn a Passion for Food into a Career Whether you are leaving school or looking for a change, deciding what career you really want to pursue requires a lot of self-reflection, conviction and indeed, a bit of courage too. Taking what you love to do and turning it into a profession can be challenging. As […]
The Edinburgh Festival and Festival Fringe is almost upon us and the whole city is buzzing in anticipation of another year of the biggest arts festival in the world – plus all the fantastic things to see and do that come with it. However, as most Edinburgh residents will attest, after a couple of weeks […]
How many times a day do we find ourselves asking teenagers to stack or empty the dishwasher, to clear up after themselves and to eat healthily? The teenage years are an essential point of life to instil good habits that will last throughout life. I am always pleased to see how the teenagers who join […]
If you’re anything like me, you enjoy throwing dinner parties for your friends and family. It’s a great way to spend time together in relaxed surroundings. However, I’m sure most hosts will agree that with the joy of entertaining comes a certain element of pressure. Of course your loved ones wouldn’t dare criticise or complain, […]
Leaving school is an exciting time for young people. I know many who have their heart set on university and a few years studying and enjoying student life. For others, it is the chance to start a dream career. I have always advised my own children, and those of friends, that with the constraints on […]