About Host

Growing up in a family of butchers and grocers that talked about food from when I was very young, I realised early that food and where it came from was very important. Weighing cheese and other goods at the grocer's shop was my idea of a treat - to this day I can wrap anything in wax paper and string and make a paper cone for dry ingredients! I was often found watching the butcher cut up carcasses that were way bigger than me, and could not wait to help - but I'm ashamed to say I still can't use a cleaver! "Lightning" was my nickname at the butchers (because it never strikes in the same place twice....!)

A mixture of dyslexia and hatred of school was the beginning of my career path. Practical over academic was the only option, much to the disappointment of one parent, and the excitement of the other. The best thing I ever did was fail A 'Levels! I was sent to Eggleston Hall in Teesdale where - amidst a great deal of fun, and a lot of hard work - I achieved The Cordon Bleu Diploma, a dressmaking certificate, and typing & shorthand qualifications. I loved every second and didn't ever want to leave (something to do with a very good looking Irish fishing instructor and a lot of invites to Catterick Officers Mess!) After the second year of teaching at the college, I was offered a job in the Director's dining room at Saab Scania in Sweden. Stockton to Stockholm, and I've never looked back.

Fast forward a few years and I arrived at the prestigious Swinton Cookery School where I had the pleasure of 13 years working with the world-renowned British chef (and now author), Rosemary Shrager. I would hold Rosemary as my personal food hero, though one of many (it feels treacherous to name just the one!). She has always been so supportive of my work and career.

Since settling in Yorkshire, it’s very much the county and its folk that makes me feel proud. The way the people work together to support each other. The independent food and drink community, passionate about joining forces to share the amazing artisanal food and drink the county has to offer. You just don’t seem to experience that fierce alliance outside of Yorkshire, it seems.

At The Cook's Place, food preparation is my passion: where it comes from, how it is produced, and how it can be used to avoid waste is very important to me. Having eating out as my hobby is sometimes expensive, but sometimes it has resulted in a job! "Shy kids get nowt"/ if you don't ask you don't get". Who knows what the future holds - but it's bound to be an adventure!