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Catherine Sloman
ABOUT ME
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.
Writing – Very excited to report that my Kitchen Confidence cookbook is now published. Jessie was the inspiration for the book. Actually, she commissioned it. She’s now headed off to university with a copy and hopefully it’s 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 here: Cookbook.
The word from
Catherine Sloman
aka Battenburgbelle
aka Battenburgbelle
I’ve been writing my own food blog for a few years: battenburgbelle.com, all about my adventures as a home cook. 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 others might be interested in learning how to embrace the kitchen and so Battenburgbelle was born.
I’m moving my blogging and recipes to this site now. As well as writing my own book, I have contributed to two 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.
Catherine Sloman
Kitchen Confidence Head Chef
My adventures as a home cook
Prize Winners
Prize winning baker: I have won many cookery prizes at local horticultural society shows. Last year I won the cup for best cake in the summer show (a rather delicious chilli chocolate cake).
My experience: As well as spending hours in my own kitchen, I do love a cookery class and I’ve tried lots of different schools: Bread Ahead (sourdough and various other bread workshops); Leith’s Cookery School (advanced cookery skills); Bertinet Kitchen Cookery School (bread making and pastry; patisserie & viennoiserie), Wildes Cheeses (cheese making).
I also spent a year working part time 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 have been accepted as a Dame in 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 looking forward to working with some 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
