home cook school
Kirkoswald
I’m a foodie through and through! I like to eat! I like to cook! Variety is the
spice of life, and we shouldn’t get stuck in a rut when we cook. Cooking is a
creative process and should be one of life’s great pleasures. I am a big fan of
the local Ayrshire seasonal produce, and recently demonstrated dishes at the
Ballantrae Festival of Food and Drink 2020 and Newmilns Food Festival, 2017. I
am lucky to live in a beautiful part of the world. Maybole is sandwiched between
Culzean Castle and Country Park and Alloway where Robert Burns was born. The
area is steeped in history and an abundance of local artisan produce. Farm shops
sell Ayrshire meat, cheese, vegetables and all manner of other products. Of
course, the coast is close by too with a fantastic array of seafood. With all of
this on my doorstep, its not hard to be inspired. I believe it is important that
we can all cook at least a few great dishes from scratch. Unfortunately, so many
people don’t have the skills or confidence in the kitchen. Many people are short
of time, and for some, cooking skills simply haven’t been passed down to them.
There is an increasing awareness of the health benefits of eating nutritious
home cooked meals. Furthermore, I think its very important that people eat
together, in order to socialise and share time. BACKGROUND Prior to Home Cook
School, I worked as a Lecturer within the Creative Industries Department at a
local Further Education College. My role involved working with various student
groups – both advanced and non-advanced, community groups and school classes. I
love teaching people and seeing them develop knowledge, skills and confidence!
Since I was very young, I have been a keen cook. I have travelled extensively,
and learned from many different international cuisine styles. My husband and I
love to eat out and plan our holidays around breakfast, lunch and dinner! I have
attended many cook school classes including Tuscan and Croatian styles. Lindsay
demonstrating at Ballantrae Festival of Food and Drink Lindsay Demonstrating at
Ballantrae Festival of Food and Drink I love cooking lavish dinner parties, but
more recently, my focus has been on cooking nutritious, economic, family meals.
I am a strong advocate of reducing food waste by shopping thriftily, planning
and using leftovers and often integrate these principles into my lessons. For
years, many friends and family would ask me to share my recipes and cooking tips
– this combined with my years of teaching experience, consequently gave me the
idea to launch Home Cook School. For a long time, I was keen to become
self-employed however, due to work and family commitments, I was never able to
fully devote myself to the concept. In 2014 I gave up my Lecturing job (after 12
years) to focus on bringing up my young family. The following year I moved to
Maybole, South Ayrshire and finally had a kitchen big enough to run classes
from! In 2016, I decided to launch Home Cook School. I feel passionate about
sharing my love and knowledge of home cooking with anyone who is keen to realise
their ambition to become a better home cook! A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO COOKING
LOCAL PRODUCE As an active member of the Ayrshire Food Network, we pride
ourselves in using locally sourced, fresh produce. Not only that – we run
cooking courses promoting both Scottish and Ayrshire produce, connecting our
clients with local suppliers, supporting the local economy and teaching our
clients where they can buy local! Click here to link with some of our suppliers.
LOOKING AFTER OUR ENVIRONMENT In our lessons we promote ways to avoid wasting
food. We are certified to deliver Zero Waste Scotland Love Food Hate Waste
Cascade Training. We recycle our waste and when clients require disposable
plates and cutlery for buffets, we use biodegradable products. We also car share
where possible! GROW YOUR OWN We encourage our clients to try growing their own
fruit, vegetables and herbs in our classes. We use home grown produce in many of
our classes and catering. BIOSPHERE CERTIFICATION MARK We proud to hold the
business Certification Mark for the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO
Biosphere, which is the stunning area of natural beauty that Home Cook School is
situated within. Cooking tutor, and business owner Lindsay Guidi is also a Board
Member of the Biosphere. South West Scotland is a place of abundant good quality
food, drink and crafts which reflect the diversity and unique character of the
countryside and region. One of the best-known crops in the Biosphere is Ayrshire
‘tatties’, known for their earthy, sweet flavour. With a reputation for
producing high quality beef cattle, lamb and delicious dairy produce and of
course some of the best seafood, the Biosphere offers a special, authentic food
and drink experience.
