Justine Kanter is the Kitchen Coach

I teach people how to cook, helping you to build confidence in your own kitchen, learning how to create delicious food with passion and flair.

I work with you either individually, or in small groups, at a time that suits you. I will tailor every lesson to fit in with your particular needs, boosting your confidence every step of the way.

About

Sometimes it can feel overwhelmingly difficult to plan, prepare and enjoy food for our friends and families and to provide consistently healthy meals. The challenge is to learn how to cook in a way that is creative, practical and enjoyable, taking into account the constraints of everyday life and establishing good habits that the rest of your family can learn from and adopt. I am here to help you develop confidence in your kitchen skills at your pace and in your own environment.

I can help you prepare a delicious but varied twenty-minute midweek supper, inspire your children to eat more healthily at school and at home, and teach you a new skill such as sourdough or preserving. I have tried and tested methods for those of you dealing with particular dietary demands or eating disorders, and for those needing to boost their immune system after medical treatment. But most of all I’m here to bring the joy of food into your lives – be it baking, roasting, changing your regime or just helping to make the best Sunday lunch you’ve ever eaten.

I am Cordon Bleu-trained. I have a master baker qualification from a leading school in San Francisco, and have been teaching for ten years. And as a mother of two, I’ve been cooking for my own family and friends for over 30 years.

What I Offer

As the Kitchen Coach I have developed a range of ways to make teaching both effective and fun. I teach parents of the pickiest eaters and students when they go off to fend for themselves. I have ideas for those cooking for one, and those who have got through life barely able to boil an egg and want to be next year’s Masterchef. By engaging the Kitchen Coach you will get personalised tuition guaranteed to improve your skills in the kitchen.

Sourdough Masterclasses

I graduated from the San Francisco Baking Institute, learning the sourdough craft from the professionals and completing their Artisan Bread-making Diploma. I have come away with a fantastic set of unique baking techniques that I have now adapted to a domestic set up. The bread is light, with a great flavour and unlike anything I can find in the shops.

I run a series of two-day sourdough classes to share my knowledge and passion and to teach you how to make your own sourdough loaves at home. Baking sourdough doesn’t need to be complicated and you can make incredible bread without the need for any fancy or expensive specialist equipment. We will talk about the feeding regime, learning how to sustain a sourdough mother, along with basic mixing, proving and shaping principles. And you will get to take your bread home with you.

Classes are designed for 2-4 people and you will come away with the confidence to bake your own homemade artisan loaves. A delicious lunch, made with local ingredients is included.

Upcoming bread masterclasses:

October 8th and 9th
October 17th and 18th
October 25th and 26th
October 29th and 30th

Get in touch to find out more.

Catering and Teaching in Schools

Catering

I can cook and deliver fantastic food for a wide range of functions, creating fabulous meals for you in your own home. Anything from a three-course lunch, special occasion party food, simple family suppers or just help preparing meals ahead of time.

My food is full of flavour and delicious, beautifully presented and a mix of the comfort of the familiar with the excitement of the new.

Following a conversation on the phone, I will put together a tailored plan that fits with your taste and budget. Let me simplify the challenge of planning and hosting so that you can enjoy your party. Get in touch to discuss your particular requirements.

Teaching in Schools

I work in primary schools, giving children a chance to learn how to have fun in the kitchen and make great healthy meals, as well as learning about budgeting, planning, food preparation and developing their palates. I will get children experimenting with fresh and tasty ingredients to create great family meals and have the best fun while doing it.

I can offer a totally tailored cooking programme to fit with a school’s learning objectives. Some sample teaching units include:

Recipe selections and cookbook navigation – we will discuss the different approaches, how to read a list of ingredients and methods, talk about what they like to cook at home and some of the challenges of cooking.

Making a shopping list and costing the menu

Ordering food online/buying food in shops

Cooking the dish to include techniques, tips, what happens when things go wrong, flavour, seasoning etc.

Eating the dish or taking it home to enjoy

Recipes as hand-outs, homework, recipes folders

Ideas on how to help at home, practising our dishes as homework, planning a party for friends

Other teaching points that will come up as we go – food waste, unusual fruit and vegetables, cooking for large numbers, cooking in advance etc.

In the News

Have a look at what I have been up to, telling my story on the radio and in the newspapers.

Cooking With Teenagers Video

Cooking with Kids

The Telegraph Article
Is it time to hire a Kitchen Coach?
Read full article

BBC Radio London
Robert Elms Show
Listen to Justine Kanter and check out her top tips

Ham & High Article
Hampstead mum delivers cooking lessons to your door
Read full article

Fabric Property Article
On Trial: The Kitchen Coach
Read full article

BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour
Listen to Justine Kanter and check out the Summer Pudding recipe

Woman and Home Article
Can an expert help me?
Read full article

BBC Good Food 
Woman’s Hour Cook the Perfect
Read full article

Jewish Chronicle
If mealtimes are messy – make them muck in
Read full article

Bookings and Gift options

 

Bookings 
The cost of coaching sessions varies depending on when we meet (weekdays/weekends, day/evening) and the number of people cooking. Please contact me to discuss. We cook in your own kitchen, unless you particularly want to get out of the house, and do it in mine.
I am happy to do any length of session that clients prefer, with a minimum of two hours.
Bookings are refundable if notified within 48 hours of the scheduled session.

Gift Options
A session with The Kitchen Coach makes a really original gift. A two-hour voucher gives someone a great opportunity to improve their cooking in their own kitchen.
The Kitchen Coach vouchers have been given for birthdays, wedding anniversaries, barmitzvahs, Fathers Day and more.
The Kitchen Coach vouchers are valid for a year.

Contact