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Louisa Chapman-Andrews Unleash your culinary creativity and nourish your loved ones Louisa Chapman-Andrews founded Cook Folk in 2018 with the aim of teaching her students how to cook without relying on recipes. ‘I encourage everyone to use ingredients imaginatively – and there’s no such thing as making a mistake!’

Louisa, who ran a catering business, worked for grocer Melrose and Morgan and co-wrote Good Food For Your Table: A Grocer’s Guide, specialises in one-to-one classes for students in their own homes. ‘These lessons often start with a Kitchen Edit,’ she explains. ‘I can advise about making the best use of space, streamlining cupboards and equipment and preparing fridge and freezer staples. I then follow a bespoke teaching plan tailored to specific dietary and taste preferences. During the sessions there’s no need to take notes: I provide a follow-up on the tips and techniques, so the student is free to cook and, afterwards, enjoy eating the results. ‘I also host group cookery workshops (for up to five people) in my own kitchen. Each one showcases fresh seasonal ingredients in recipes that can be adapted for any occasion. It’s lovely to help people – whatever their previous culinary experience – to discover the joy of preparing delicious, healthy meals for family and friends.’

Ann Dempster Whitehall Construction has the experience and expertise to take any building project from design to completion Chiswick resident Ann Dempster has recently completed a seven-week loft conversion at her home in Bedford Park. Ann chose Jason Wilkinson of West London business Whitehall Construction as her contractor and here she recalls the experience of working with him. ‘I had actually read an article about Jason in an issue of Chiswick Locals and so I asked him to come and quote on the job along with a couple of other companies. To be perfectly honest, I had been dreading getting the loft done – I wanted a dormer conversion with a bedroom and ensuite bathroom – but from the moment I met Jason, I knew that I would be in safe hands. He inspired confidence and that was so important to me. ‘Jason was here every single morning before his men started, popped in several times during the day and came back again at close of play. So I was fully informed about progress at all times. Jason projectmanaged the schedule himself and I don’t think any problems cropped up – if there were any, I suspect he simply resolved them in his usual quiet way. ‘I was living in the house throughout the whole process and my grandchildren were also staying with me. The team was just brilliant, very friendly and they went out of their way to keep any disruption to an absolute minimum; most importantly, the work came in on time and to budget. Jason is a man of integrity with a really nice way about him. If you are planning a building project, I would recommend using Whitehall Construction.’

Jason Wilkinson - Whitehall Construction - Client Portfolio

Whitehall Construction - Client Portfolio

Whitehall Construction - Client Portfolio

Whitehall Construction - Client Portfolio

Louisa Chapman-Andrews Unleash your culinary creativity ‘Recently, I’ve been teaching a family of five to cook and the children just love it,’ says Louisa Chapman-Andrews. ‘They enjoy learning how to put different ingredients together imaginatively and there’s no such thing as making a mistake! It’s lovely to help people come together to create delicious, healthy meals.’ Before setting up her Cook Folk school last year, Louisa ran a catering business and worked for the renowned British grocer Melrose and Morgan, co-writing the seminal Good Food For Your Table: A Grocer’s Guide. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients, she runs half-day group workshops at her home (attendees eat what they prepare for lunch) and two-hour taster courses as well as bespoke one-to-one lessons for clients in their own kitchens. These usually begin with a ’kitchen edit’ session, which is also available as a stand-alone service.

Cook Folk - Photo: Nick Selby Cook Folk students are encouraged to cook without recipes, all tips, techniques and shortcuts are shared and Louisa also provides detailed follow-up notes. ‘I want my students to develop confidence and discover the joy of nourishing their loved ones and entertaining family and friends.’

Cook Folk - Photo: Nick Selby

Louisa Chapman-Andrews Discover your inner cook… ‘I only realised at university that I could cook – previously it had just been part of family life. I discovered that I loved making people happy with my food.’ That feeling has never left Louisa Chapman-Andrews. While pursuing a career in PR she also ran a catering business and, later, after joining renowned British grocer Melrose and Morgan, co-wrote the seminal book Good Food For Your Table: A Grocer’s Guide. Last year Louisa founded Cook Folk, a cookery school to teach students to unleash their culinary creativity. Focusing on healthy, seasonal ingredients, she holds half-day group workshops at her Acton home (attendees eat what they have prepared for lunch) and two-hour taster courses as well as bespoke one-to-one lessons for clients in their own kitchens. These usually begin with a ’kitchen edit’ session, which is also available as a stand-alone service. Cook Folk students are encouraged to cook imaginatively without recipes and tips, techniques and shortcuts are shared. Louisa also provides detailed follow-up notes to help her students try out their new skills: ’I want my students to develop confidence in their cooking and to discover the joy of nourishing their loved ones and entertaining family and friends.’

Jason Wilkinson Jason does what he says he’s going to do, he shouts early if he foresees issues and always has a solution.’ – Alison McDowell (a recent client of Whitehall Construction) ‘I’m hands-on – I like to be on site every day. I think that approach stems from the fact that I started on the ground floor of the trade. I’ve learned how important it is to be available – it’s the best way to build a positive relationship with a client and find solutions to issues.’

Jason Wilkinson of Whitehall Construction has a simple, effective business philosophy. Having left school to become a bricklayer, he took his City and Guilds and worked as a foreman on projects for Carillion and McAlpine. Jason co-founded Whitehall Construction four years ago with the aim of specialising in house renovation, loft conversion, kitchen and side return extensions, basement excavation and bathroom re-design.

‘We have the knowledge to take any project from Planning and Design through to Build,’ he says. ‘We’re used to liaising with architects and structural engineers and we have a permanent team of top-quality, reliable craftsmen. If I do need to employ specialist sub-contractors, I only use people I know and trust.’ Jason stresses the importance of good project management. ‘It’s essential to explain the process clearly – why something will work and why it won’t. It’s about being open. In my opinion, many builders today have become more like salesmen. They get jobs in and then farm them out. So you lose that line of communication and personal contact.’