#cookfolk

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.’

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.’