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About How to Cook Good Food

Hello, I am Laura and I love cooking, I always have. It’s part of who I am and it’s what I do. I was a chef before having children and moving out of London. I became great friends with someone who shared the same interest in food as me.  She is Japanese and we bonded over our love of cooking and sushi.

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Then she left. Upped sticks with the husband & kids to move to Sydney, to be nearer her family. My fellow foodie pal had gone. I really missed  my fellow food loving chum. Who else would be interested in hearing about what I had been up to in the kitchen? I needed to find a way of connecting with other like minded food fans and blogging seemed like a perfect way to start.

howtocookgoodfood  is a blog about why it is good to cook, my food memories, some favourite recipes and seasonal food ideas.

I would like it to be my personal relationship with those who read it. I would like it to be the friend in my life, on all things culinary. Essentially I would like it to be a part of who I am, but mainly, I would like it to encourage you to love cooking. 

My inspiration

I love growing things as much as I love cooking, so the seasons play a big part in my life. My allotment also makes me aware of exactly what is coming into season. I love late spring in particular for the elderflowers, rhubarb, rocket, spinach and asparagus, followed by the joy of all the summer stone fruits and berries moving on to pumpkins and squashes in Autumn. I would find it hard to choose one favourite ingredient but it may just have to be some freshly picked raspberries.

Chef/Cook inspiration

Having loved cooking from an early age, my first memories of cooking came from Robert Carrier in the 70s, making his classic vinaigrette to have with avocados and to dip vegetables in was my first lesson in cooking.

Keith Floyd and the Two Fat Ladies I loved and then moved into a period of following all the classic chefs whilst training at Claridges. Anton Mossiman, Raymond Blanc and Marco Pierre White whilst training to become a chef myself.

Moving into my freelance chef career, I became more interested in some of the leading female chefs  such as Rose Grey & Ruth Rogers of The River Cafe, Sally Clarke of Clarke’s, Alice Waters at Chez Panisse and Stephanie Alexander. They remain some of my favourites to this day.

Then there are some influences from people who I think of as more cooks than chefs. Simon Hopkinson, Nigel Slater, Josceline Dimbleby, Jane Grigson, Deborah Madison and Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall.

At the moment I love Yotam Ottolenghi and Diana Henry and Amy Chaplin.

I have many food influences and an enormous cook book collection to go with it. I can’t stop collecting. I need help.

Favourite Foods

Anything with seafood in it. Seafood platter, risotto, pasta, salad. If  I see crab, prawn, squid, scallops, mussels, razor clams on the menu, I have to order it. I love chilli. So, to combine the two, my favourite dish in the world would be The River Cafe’s chilli crab linguine.

Favourite Ingredients

Olives, garlic, olive oil, lemon, anchovies, gherkins, capers, Maldon salt and Fish sauce. Not many subtle flavours there, I know. But sweet wise, I love muscovado sugar, maple syrup, Speculoos and expensive chocolate. Anything made by William Curley or Rococo will be gratefully received.

I must also tell you about my  love/addiction to Campari. It is my drink of drinks and  there is nothing that would make me happier than a drink featuring this red bitter syrup. I love to sip it with soda…sometimes with fresh orange but better than that….in a Negroni. I think it sums up all that I love about flavours.  I am a bitter and sour fan, followed by salt then sweet.

Any guilty food pleasures?

Less so than I used to have but yes, I love HP sauce. I also love Sarson’s vinegar on my chips. And pork scratchings, pork crackling, pork anything,  Shake Shack Burger Sauce and Golden Wonder crisps. And pickles, don’t forget the pickles.

What am I up to?

Apart from blogging, I am now a cookery tutor working for various organisations throughout Surrey. I also host The Epsom Supper Club once a month and I cater for small events as a private chef.

If you would like to find out more about my cookery classes/supper club/hiring me as a chef please do get in touch.

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Laura Scott, food blogger.

I'm Laura. Private chef, supper club host and cookery tutor.

I love cooking. Always have. My site represents my life in food. With pictures. Food for me is all about interesting flavour combinations and the influence of the growing season.

Cooking is all about sharing and enjoying food. It makes life good.

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I have had two messages from people who have recen I have had two messages from people who have recently discovered my Insta sourdough tutorials and thought I would share their first attempts. This is one loaf which has turned out brilliantly and I’ll put the other one on stories. Both were first attempts and I’m now thinking I need to start planning for actual classes to start . I’ll be aiming for May/June and will be offering demos as well as a full day workshop. To register your interest email me:
sourdough@howtocook.co.uk  #sourdoughbread #howtocookgoodfood #sourdoughtutorial #sourdoughclass #epsom #surreychef #surreysourdough #learntobakesourdough
Currently on my At Home Dining menu - Kung Pao Cau Currently on my At Home Dining menu - Kung Pao Cauliflower with crushed peanuts. Remember to place your orders for this weekend by Wednesday morning. If you’d like to see the menu DM me or email me:
orders@howtocookgoodfood.co.uk  #athomedining #epsomfood #surreychef #surreycaterer #dineathome #kungpaocauliflower  #surreyhills #surreylife #epsomandewell #howtocookgoodfood
I’m fully booked for Valentine’s weekend but s I’m fully booked for Valentine’s weekend but still taking orders for the next two weeks. After Valentine weekend I’ll be releasing a new weekly menu and am available for birthday cake orders too. Thanks everyone for booking early!
#athomedining #valentinesdaymenu #epsom #surreychef #surreycaterer #cheflife #surreybusiness #dineathome #mealdelivery #epsomandewell #surreylife #epsomfood
Sent out some tarte au citron today along with a b Sent out some tarte au citron today along with a birthday cake, Mexican meals and a three course birthday meal. I’ll be changing up the menu again after February half term and I’ve also added Swiss meringue buttercream to my cakes. If you haven’t tried it yet you won’t believe how much more delicious it is than regular buttercream. Almost like a marshmallow mousse in texture and it can be flavoured with anything too!
#tarteaucitron #howtocookgoodfood #epsom #surreychef #surreycaterer #mealdeliveryservice #foodorders #cheflife #surreybusiness #epsomandewell #dineathome
A vegan chocolate cake made for an egg allergy ord A vegan chocolate cake made for an egg allergy order tomorrow  #veganchocolatecake #eggfreebaking #epsom #surreychef #surreycaterer #epsomandewell #surreybusiness #surreycakes #athomedining #mealdeliveryservice #veganbakes
I’ve been asked alot recently if I have any alte I’ve been asked alot recently if I have any alternative bakes for gluten free and egg free/ dairy free diets. The answer is yes although I’ve noticed most of them are chocolate based, mainly because I love anything chocolate and enjoy the leftovers. These are gluten free dulce de leche brownies and I also make a great vegan chocolate cake as well as gluten and dairy free cupcakes. I actually prefer these brownies to regular ones. Get in touch if you’d like something DF/GF.  #glutenfreebrownies #howtocookgoodfood #epsom #surreychef #surreycaterer #glutenfreebaking #epsomandewell #surreybusiness #freefromgluten
First time in ages making macarons using @maisoncu First time in ages making macarons using @maisoncupcake recipe which always works so well. I’m going to be adding these to any extra special cake orders I have coming up. Might fill these with salted caramel...
#macarons #feedfeed #thebakefeed #howtocookgoodfood #epsom #surreychef #cheflife #surreycaterer #surreycakes #epsomandewell #frenchmacarons #cakeorders
Don’t forget to order by Wednesday morning. This Don’t forget to order by Wednesday morning. This is on the Mexican menu and it’s a big favourite - Beef Barbacoa.
Slow roasted brisket marinated with chipotle en adobo, vinegar and beef stock for many hours.  #barbacoa #mexicanfood #mealdeliveryservice #epsom #howtocookgoodfood #surreychef #surreycaterer #cheflife #epsomandewell #athomedining
This birthday cake was so tall it needed a bigger This birthday cake was so tall it needed a bigger box. If your looking for a lockdown birthday cake get in touch to see my cake menu. You can have 4” 6” as well as 8” which are perfect for these times of no parties 🎈 🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈 #birthdaycakes #howtocookgoodfood #epsom #surreychef #surreycaterer #epsomandewell #cheflife #feedfeed #thebakefeed #surreybusiness
A couple of new desserts on this month’s At Home A couple of new desserts on this month’s At Home Dining menu.  Lemon ricotta tart and treacle tart. Not sure which I prefer. What would you choose?
#athomedining #howtocookgoodfood #epsom #surreychef #surreycaterer #cheflife #chefsofinstagram #epsomandewell #whatsonsurrey #surreyhills #mealdeliveryservice
Short ribs for one of tomorrow’s orders #athomed Short ribs for one of tomorrow’s orders #athomedining #epsom #surreychef #surreyfood #epsomandewell #dineathone #shortribs #foodandwine #cheflife #surreycaterer #surreybusiness #surreyliving #surreyhills
Lots of orders going out today including this dish Lots of orders going out today including this dish - chicken roasted with dates, olives and capers with white wine & pom molasses - an @ottolenghi recipe .
This is on my latest At Home Dining menu so get in touch if you want a meal delivered for your birthday!
#athomedining #epsom #surreychef #surreyfood #epsomandewell #dineathome #mealdeliveryservice #surreybusiness #whatsonsurrey #cheflife #newmenu
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