How does my Culinary Coach service work?

I offer four types of Culinary Coach services.  All services take place at my home in the community of Fernwood, Victoria, BC. I would also love to hear your ideas about other ways that I can support you in eating well and enjoying your unique experience of food.

1. Consultation 

Are you feeling stuck or overwhelmed with the prospect of coming up with interesting and tasty meals or snacks? I’d be delighted to consult with you to provide ideas and insight regarding your particular diet. A two hour session is standard, and we cover a wide variety of tips and ideas from where to shop, to how to substitute alternative foods, to how to prepare grains that you’re not accustomed to, or how to satisfy your taste buds in new and creative ways! I prepare ahead of time to ensure that your specific dietary concerns are addressed. Often people start out working with me in this way, and then they move on to some of the other services listed below. 

2. Individualized cooking session 

Do you need to increase your skills in the kitchen or simply expand your range of dietary options? This is a great opportunity for hands on learning tailored specifically to your dietary needs. For this session, I provide the ideas, recipes, groceries, and instruction and facilitate a customized individual cooking session.  We spend the 3.5  hours discussing tips, options , and new ideas for your particular needs,  while we cook the dishes together.  It’s fun to see all of the finished products we produce!  You package up the food in containers that you bring with you.  I send you on your way with the food, a copy of each of the recipes, and hopefully some new-found inspiration and knowledge!

Try out this sample recipe for gluten-free, flour-free, egg-free, and low glycemic Almond Butter Cookies.

3. Cooking classes

Food should be a sensuous and fun part of our lives, and it is often best as shared experience with others. I offer a variety of cooking classes for groups of 2 to 4 people.  Some classes run regularly and you are free to sign up for one of these standard classes. See the Up-Coming Events link above. I also offer more individualized classes that are customized to suit a particular group of people. This might be a great way to spend time with a group of your friends, colleagues, or family members.  Here are a few of my ideas for cooking classes:

• Food-on-the-run
  

• Fabulous whole meal salads

• Winter soups and curries

• Gluten free baking

• Breakfast pancakes, waffles, and oatcakes for a candida cleanse

• Vegetarian entrees
  

The options are endless. See the Up-Coming Events link above. My classes are ‘hands-on’ so that everyone has a chance to actually cook! 

4. Menu Planning 

Are you tired of eating the same thing over and over? I specialize in designing interesting and tasty menus that are responsive to your dietary needs. They come with a grocery list and detailed recipes to support each menu item. Extensive menu planning can be incorporated into a consultation session, or we can communicate via email. Click here for a Sample Menu.

I will provide you with a customized menu for the week or the month!  This generally requires several hours consultation, plus additional time for me to organize the corresponding recipes to create the menu.  The advantage to having an actual menu plan is that you can reuse it again and again.  You don’t have to reinvent the food wheel each week or month!