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Catherine Sloman

…aka Battenburgbelle

Sharing the Love

I love eating and I love cooking; and it has to be said, I am one of those people who always has a cook book (or several) next to the bed. And I’m always looking for an excuse to try out new recipes on family and friends.

I really enjoy teaching others to cook and sharing my love of food and cooking – it’s so exciting when my students sit down to enjoy a meal they have just made or take the first slice of a loaf they’ve baked at one of my Bread Ahead classes. I am a mother to one lovely daughter, Jessie, and it makes me so happy when she loves something I’ve rustled up in the kitchen or when she proudly sends me photos of a dish she has prepared for herself and her friends.

My Cookbook

Inspiration for my writing…

I’m very excited to report that my Kitchen Confidence cookbook is available. Jessie was the inspiration for the book. Actually, she commissioned it. She’s now a university student with a copy in her shared kitchen and it does seem to be encouraging her to lay off the takeaways and do a bit of experimenting in the kitchen. The book is all about sharing the love and encouraging anyone who is inexperienced or nervous to get in the kitchen and give it a whirl. You can find out more about the book and where to buy it below.

BUY MY COOKBOOK ONLINE

Adventures in Writing

Cookery books and more…

I’ve been writing about food for a long time: originally as battenburgbelle.com, a blog all about my adventures in the kitchen. I started writing about food when my Dad’s friend Brian asked me for some tips. He found himself having to learn to cook and I began by emailing him some ideas.

Then it seemed to me that other people might be interested in learning how to embrace the kitchen and so Battenburgbelle was born, so named as I had recently won a prize for a Battenburg I had baked. Oh yes! I moved my recipes to this website when I set up the Kitchen Confidence Cookery School.

As well as writing my own book, I have contributed to some other excellent cook books by testing recipes and advising on content: Cooking with Columbo and Cooking with Joan Crawford, both for Jenny Hammerton, of the Guild of Food Writers. And more recently Supper with the Stars: with your host Vincent Price, a gorgeous book by Jenny and Vincent Price expert, Peter Fuller.

Catherine Sloman

Kitchen Confidence Head Chef

Adventures in the Kitchen

My experience…

When I’m not teaching at Kitchen Confidence, I am usually teaching at the excellent Bread Ahead Bakery School in London’s Borough Market, Pavilion Road and Wembley.

As well as spending hours in my own kitchen and at Bread Ahead, I do love a cookery class, and I’ve tried lots of different schools, including: Cordon Bleu Cookery, Leiths, Bertinet Kitchen Cookery School, Wildes Cheeses, to name but a few.

I also spent a year working at a wonderful local café and deli, mainly in the kitchen, makings soups and salads, and baking bread and cakes.

Memberships

I am delighted to be a member of the London chapter of the international culinary association Les Dames d’Escoffier. LDE is a philanthropic organisation of women working in – and leading – the worlds food, fine beverage and hospitality. I’m proud and grateful to be involved with this amazing organisation and to work with a group influential and inspirational women.

I’m a member of the Bread Angels – a group of bakers and teachers dedicated to helping people bake, buy and learn about good bread, in order to effect positive social change. Through our work, we are committed to developing diverse, inclusive and healthy communities.

What People Say About Me

“I really cannot think how the day could have been improved. You took so much care going over every step of every recipe; we all had several hands on moments; the recipes sent after are really clear….. Even if we’d each had our own cook station (if you lived in a château with a marquee in the garden a la bakeoff) it wouldn’t have been as helpful because we needed to watch YOU doing things. It really was a brilliant day, and was everything I personally wanted and more. Can’t wait for the next one!”

JAN G

Previous Client

“An extremely well organised day where we cooked six dishes in a few hours. The teaching was relaxed, fun and clear with lots of cups of tea! I felt confident in the kitchen by the end of it and I learned a lot. The group specifically asked to learn easy, everyday dishes and that’s what we got. It was a great day and I would highly recommend Catherine.”

FRAN L

Previous Client

“Great class with all the answers from @battenburgbelle. Thank you for taking your time with each step and question.”

DAMY

Previous Client

“Thanks Catherine for the bread course. I’ve really enjoyed it and learned a lot

JANE

Previous Client

“Thank you so much for the detailed instructions. You are fabulous! I see you do so many classes, long hours, and always patiently answering all questions…always with a smile.”

KARISHMA

Previous Client

“I just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful course last night. I baked my bread this morning and just had some for lunch, both breads were absolutely delicious and the best bread I’ve ever made. Thank you so much.”

MELISSA

Previous Client

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