HELLO I'M LAURA
and I love cooking
I always have, it’s part of who I am. I was a chef before having children, and now work as a private chef in Epsom, running a Surrey supper club, creating bespoke celebration cakes, as well as writing my blog, How to Cook Good Food.
The blog was started to share my love of cooking with other like-minded food fans, and to share the skills I use in my Surrey cookery courses with those who aren’t close enough to take part in person – I hope it inspires you to get creative in the kitchen too.
In between recipe creation, concocting new cupcakes and working as a cookery tutor, I also host the Epsom Supper Club, spent lockdown dreaming up my At Home Restaurant cookery boxes and catering small events as a private chef (Surrey locations).
To find out more, check out my Events & Bookings page for upcoming dates, as well as more information on cookery classes, the supper club and hiring me as a private chef, or please do get in touch. Check out my testimonials here.
My inspiration
Nothing inspires me quite as much as the food I’ve grown, and the seasons play a big part in my life – I love late spring for its elderflowers, rhubarb, rocket, spinach and asparagus, followed by the joy of summer stone fruits and berries, before making the most of autumn’s squashes in my pumpkin bread.
I have many food influences and an enormous cook book collection to go with it (I can’t stop collecting. I need help!) including current favourites Yotam Ottolenghi, Diana Henry and Amy Chaplin.
My first memories of cooking came from making Robert Carrier’s classic vinaigrette in the 70s, moving on to Keith Floyd and the Two Fat Ladies, before embracing the classic chefs, such as Anton Mosiman, Raymond Blanc and Marco Pierre White, while completing my own training.
There are almost too many names to mention, from some leading female chefs to cooks including Nigel Slater, Josceline Dimbleby, Jane Grigson and Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall.
My favourite food
When you look at my recipes, you’ll find some of my favourite ingredients appearing again and again, alongside cherished food memories.
I adore anything with seafood in it – if I spot crab, prawn, squid, scallops, mussels, razor clams on the menu, I have to order it. I love chilli too, so my favourite dish is The River Cafe’s chilli crab linguine, which combines the two.
My stores are never without olives, garlic, olive oil, lemon, anchovies, gherkins, capers, Maldon salt and fish sauce either. Not many subtle flavours there, I know. And for my sweet tooth, there’s always muscovado sugar, maple syrup, Speculoos and expensive chocolate. Anything made by William Curley or Rococo will be gratefully received.
The drink of drinks has to be Campari. Nothing makes me happier than a drink featuring this bitter red syrup, sipped with soda, fresh orange or in a Negroni.
There are guilty food pleasures too (although I don’t feel too guilty). Sarson’s vinegar on my chips, HP sauce, Shake Shack Burger Sauce and Golden Wonder crisps. And pickles, don’t forget the pickles.
Plus pork scratchings, pork crackling… pork anything.
