Neha – Cooking Lead

About Neha

How are you involved with CGF’s work?

I moved to the UK along with my husband after studying Biotechnology in Germany and India. I am passionate about the health qualities and nutritional benefits many of the Indian spices give and enthusiastically share my knowledge through South and North Indian dishes. I have written over 20 national and international publications and am an author of a number of books. I am a great believer in ‘Health is Wealth’.

What are your food inspirations?

Growing up I was always inclined towards cooking, but only got a chance to really explore cooking & different dishes fully in Germany. Now my 5-year-old son inspires me a lot to make lots of new dishes which are full of nutrition and health benefits.

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I always think about new and interesting dishes with vegetables, which looks boring for kids. Also, I try to make people aware people about nutrition and how to boost immunity.

Paddy – Cooking Lead

About Paddy

How are you involved with CGF’s work?

My time is split between the UK and Guatemala where I’ve been based since 2019. When in the UK I love working with a variety of CGF projects, mainly leading cookery workshops but also cooking for NOSSH (free meal delivery service for recently released hospital patients) and other catering clients. It’s great to work in catering in a way that works to minimise food waste and increase everyday quality.

What are your food inspirations?

I’m inspired by indulgence, variety and how things work. I think there’s great value in being able make your favourite things at home and have the confidence to experiment, it’s usually tasty even if it doesn’t work as expected. Food is usually fun for me and I love to share that enjoyment. From finding out how cheesecakes set to how chocolate is produced, there’s so much to try and food connects so many people.

What do you do in your spare time?

I once said my free time was spent trying to find things to do between meals, other than cooking! I love playing music and going to live music events, hiking, biking and general outdoor adventure!

Alison – Cooking Lead

About Alison

How are you involved with CGF’s work?

I first joined Cracking Good Food back in 2015 as a Cooking Co-ordinator, adoring the wonderful people that were teaching and attending the cookery schools. It was great to be part of the early days where CGF began training community groups to train others and change the culture around cooking skills and nourishing food. I am delighted to be back helping to inspire affordable cooking with confidence out in the community again.

What are your food inspirations?

Unexpected surplus’ – to repurpose food and seasonal ingredients cooking every time! I grew up working on a food market from 14 years old, so I was lucky to be confidently cooking from a young age, helping to feed a whole family every day and being very creative on sometimes really limited means.

What do you do in your spare time?

When I’m done with my favourite cooking from scratch with surplus food, I love relaxing with yoga, meditation and music. I go out to gigs and local events as much as possible and adore walks in the stunning Calderdale countryside.

Marta – Cooking Lead

About Marta

How are you involved with CGF’s work?

I freelance as a Cooking Leader for various CGF projects, including community cookery workshops, teambuilding events, and the cookery school. Through CGF, I share my love for cooking and help empower others to cook healthy, affordable meals from scratch.

What are your food inspirations?

Sitting to a homecooked meal, eating and bonding together are the cornerstones of my Italian upbringing. Through CGF, I strive to help people (re)discover the joy of cooking and spend quality time with friends and family. For me, cooking is a way to express creativity and experience other cultures, all while supporting good health.

What do you do in your spare time?

I would gladly cook all day — and I almost do between work and family! When I am not in the kitchen, you can find me watching movies at the cinema, stretching on my pilates mat, or sipping green tea over a mystery novel.