Samantha Vogl Graham

My lessons are catered entirely around your needs. However, no matter your goal, developing proficiency in knife and utensil skills, keeping your kitchen clean as you work, and planning ahead are always going to be the foundations of good and enjoyable cooking. It's best to learn these things as we go, and so typically when I arrive I will take 5-10 minutes to understand your goals and then we can prepare a meal or multiple meals together. While we work together I will give demonstration, observe your work, and give advice at each step in the process. I will also advise on useful equipment and kitchen set up, as a common source of home cooking frustration is a lack of organisation and clutter in the kitchen. If you want a structured beginners skills course this can be arranged, but skills come with time and can be developed no matter the details of a cooking session. I have a mixed scientific and intuitive cooking style which I think suits most people; I approach cooking as part trade, part art, and part passion.

I can take into account special dietry requirements or other circumstances, for example if you are working in a shared kitchen environment or need to provide food children will eat while also keeping the adults satisfied. Additionally I can advise on how to frontload preparation in advance for those that wish to make evening meals faster to whip up without compromising on quality.

In interfacing with you before the lesson we will determine if I bring ingredients, or if you have something in mind then you can provide your own ingredients partially or fully.

At the conclusion of the session, I will go over with you what you found difficult and what you might like to try next time. I will also suggest advice or exercises that the student can put into practice in my absence.

Minimum lesson time would be 2 hours for preparing 2-3 courses depending on your ambition and current profficiency, and we can go as long as you need. For example if you wanted help catering a celebration while also receiving instruction I can be there as long as needed.