My job involves… teaching tailor made and bespoke cookery classes in people’s homes or businesses. I provide all ingredients and equipment and even do the washing up!
I got my job by… working hard in the restaurant industry from the age of 16, trying to learn as much as I could and constantly challenging myself so that I could progress. I spent the last five years with the Gordon Ramsay Group gaining invaluable experience but decided it was time to take the plunge and branch out on my own. That is how Old Town Cooks was born!
My day-to-day work includes… a bit of everything to be honest: a trip to the market in the morning to pick up the fruit and vegetable supplies for a class, answering emails in relation to enquiries for class bookings and designing menus for classes. I also try to spend a couple of hours a day working on the website and social media, with a blog here and a #oldtowncooks there, followed by a class to round off the day.
The most rewarding part of my job is… teaching people new skills and little tricks of the trade that I have picked up myself over the years. I love the look on people’s faces when they taste the dish they have cooked and often their genuine surprise at how good it tastes.
The most challenging part of my job is… knowing when to stop! If you asked any of my former colleagues in the industry, they will say that I do not know when to out down my tools and go home. I will probably get worse now that I am responsible for the growth of the business. I hope I manage to keep a balance though – I am not sure even I can cope with less than four hours sleep!
My advice for anyone looking to get into this industry is… you get out of it what you put in, so hard work is a must and is really the key to success. The industry has expanded hugely over the past few years; however, with people’s tastes and styles of food evolving, there are really no limits as to what you can do. I would encourage anyone who has an idea for their own business in the industry, which they are passionate about and willing to work hard to achieve, to give it a go!
