Simon © 2011
After many years working in London in the City, Katie moved to the Cotswolds where she soon became a well known hostess renowned for her relaxed, yet effortlessly elegant way of entertaining. Her ‘calmness at all times’ aura, paired with her signature dash and panache approach, soon saw her deluged with endless queries from friends and neighbours as to how they might successfully adopt the same stance. As a result of their interest, she quickly identified a niche in the market for setting up her own ‘Style and Cookery’ demonstrations which could show people not only how to cook but how to organise their own parties in a stress-free manner.
DISHES WITH DASHERS cooking demonstrations take place at Katie’s own home; at The Coach House, near Lechlade - www.thecoach-house.com and at other venues throughout the UK by prior arrangement.
There are a wide variety of courses which cater for:
-Experienced cooks seeking new and inspirational ideas
- Nervous New Housewives who have barely unpacked the saucepans given as wedding presents:
- Mums dragged down by the drudge of everyday cooking for children who waste no opportunity to complain how repetitive their repertoire has become:
- Housekeepers whose employers host large parties for social events:
- Wannabe Domestic Gods: see www.thefield.co.uk – Blades in the Kitchen Oct 2007
- Stag and Hen Parties:
- Teenagers, gap year and university students – these are ‘hands-on’ days with pupils doing all the cooking themselves under tuition:
- Clients on a one-to-one basis.
There are also specifically themed days, i.e.
Express Entertaining
Christmas Canapes
Weekends are Wind-down time for cooks too
Fish is Not Just for Fridays
Picnics, Al Fresco and the Great Outdoors
Thinner Dinners/Slimmer Suppers
Cook Now, Dine Later
Catch it, Kill it, Cook it, Eat it.
All of the above are accompanied by handy hints and secrets, as well as Katie’s trademark ‘Tips from the Sink’ which enable people to turn their own parties into something that little bit more special. Whether it’s how to plan a mouth-watering yet well balanced menu which appears miraculously without a semblance of fuss or fluster; how to lay up the table beautifully with a mish-mash of china and unmatched glassware; or how to create flora or fauna decorations, Katie transposes her own magical tips and secrets enabling hosts and hostesses to entertain in style and with unequivocal good taste.
In additions, the courses are always accompanied by wine tastings taken from an excellent selection of wines, matched to specific foods being cooked, provided by renowned local merchants – Haynes Hanson & Clark – www.hhandc.co.uk and www.oxhousewines.com
CULINARY QUERIES
If anyone has a particular question concerning a recipe, a certain ingredient or a more general enquiry, then please do feel free to email Katie as we intend to build up a page within the website devoted to this subject.
