Fresh from my cooking adventures in Nigeria, I am now back in England and I have brought lots of inspiration for marvellous food! The African flare for spice and flavour and the colourful seasonal produce in England and the continent celebrate a real marriage of cultures in my cooking.
Buying mangoes from women under a bush of mango trees in Northern Nigeria.
What better place to embark on my mission to enchant with food, than my lovely home on the south coast of England. It is nice to be back in Eastbourne, also known as the suntrap of the United Kingdom, just in time to enjoy the Great British ‘Summer’.
My view from the Eastbourne pier on a lovely sunny day
The Cookshelf, a much loved cookery school in the middle of town have given me a warm welcome and we have exciting plans for the coming months.
I am hosting a series of cooking classes and pop-up events to share my secrets for easy gourmet home cooking using inspiration from old family favourites combined with local produce. At these feasts I will also introduce food lovers to the wonders of African food, delightful servings from the North, Southern regions and especially West African food with my contemporary twists.
Masa & Moringa rice cakes
At my cooking classes and supperclubs we will also feast on some of my recipes from my newspaper column in The Guardian Nigeria.
The Cookshelf is a wonderful establishment in Eastbourne where food is celebrated through learning and inspiring a world of cuisines from Thai, Moroccan, West African, South African, Indian, Caribbean and more.
I am excited to serve and share this passion with the world. This season I have got my hands on a lot of berries which I have used to create recipes ranging from sweet and spicy treats especially using wonderful British blueberries and strawberries. I have also transformed west African favourites like roasted plantains and nuts, and the famous Jollof rice to something new and yet satisfyingly familiar.
Jollof rice with plantain pancakes and soft boiled egg
At my classes you will be enriched and inspired to be the best cook you can be. There will also be special treats from The Cookshelf & me, from great food brands, organic produce suppliers and stores for you to take home.
On the 7th of August join us at The Fine Food Fair at the Enterprise in Eastbourne for free cooking classes and treats. It is going to be a wonderful day for us to enjoy some of my wholesome, healthy and African inspired foods.
We have an amazing spread of food for you and are already getting off to an exciting start as the television crew from ITN paid us a visit, so look out for us on your screens and do pop by to share wonderful food at The Cookshelf.
Lerato Umah-Shaylor – New Chef Tutor Joins the Team – Eastbourne, Sussex Cookery School, Pottery Painting and Café in Eastbourne, East Sussex
http://www.thecookshelf.co.uk/cookshelf/lerato-chef-tutor/
Click for more details of LERATO AT THE COOKSHELF as well as upcoming events and classes.
Explore for more amazing food and easy gourmet recipes to try at home.
