WHAT I DO
I'm available for all kinds of commissions, from creating new recipes to writing a food or travel story. I provide a complete package including writing and styling the story, booking the photographer, cooking for the shoot and even offering a comfy bed and excellent food for the team.
I've been writing about food and creating recipes for many years and I love to share my passion through my work.
Moving to France has confirmed my belief in following the seasons with great ingredients, simply cooked.
Recent commissions include features on Walnuts, Asparagus,A No-cook Summer dinner party, Goat's cheese, Rhubarb, Chutneys and late summer preserves, and my Cook's Year in France diary, serialised first in BBC Good Food and more recently in Vogue Entertaining+Travel.
I cook food for the camera that is real, honest and achievable.
I enjoy making each dish look as attractive and appealing as it would when recreated at home. The produce available in this region of France is so fresh and vibrant it makes my job easier and more pleasurable.
STYLING
Since moving to France I've styled many food shoots and have built up a strong props collection, in both vintage and modern styles, which I'm adding to all the time. I particularly enjoy scouting for props at the big open-air brocantes (flea markets) for which the Charente is renowned, picking up linens, dishes, cooking pots etc.
Home is in a small village surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills. It's an old stone house with huge shutter-clad windows letting in loads of light. The kitchen was planned with photography in mind. Alongside the main house, there is a further Dependence (smaller attached house), which is north facing and open plan with plenty of room to work, providing maximum flexibility.
The local stone is a warm honey colour; beautiful buildings including mills, farmhouses, fruit orchards and other scenic backdrops are on our doorstep, should you need them. The river Charente runs through our garden and we have built an oak deck as a riverside eating area. Our stone-built summer kitchen also overlooks the river and features a built-in barbecue, sink and food preparation area. I'm especially proud of my vegetable garden where I grow a good selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables.
For more information on our location click here
Many leading London-based photographers come out regularly to collaborate with me on shoots, including:
Click here for my portfolio
