36 Time 4 Me, February 2009
cooking
Little
chefs
WANT to get the kids to eat healthily, learning
about food and having some fantastic messy
fun, and in someone else’skitchen into the
bargain? ZOE WALKER talks to Aisie Koroma,
the woman behind Mini Cook –South London
based cooking classes for kids
LL you ever she wasn’t sure what to do
seem hear with herself.
about these “My daughter was five
days is the years old when Iwas made
credit crunch. redundant,”she says.
But don’t be “Before that Iwas leavingA
fooled by the thehouse at seven, coming
emphasis on the economic in at eightand neverseeing
downturn –positive things have her. She was always the
come of it too. last child to be picked up
And many people are getting from school.”
back thework/life balancethey Determined not to let her
have craved foryears,aswellas next job take over family life
earning some cash and getting again, Aisie decided to start
to know theircommunities into up her own business.
the bargain. In September 2008 Mini
When Lewisham mum Aisie Cook –cooking classes for the
Koroma was made redundant under-10s –was born. things –not just cakes and on her own passion for all things
from hercityjob,working as a “I’m much happier now and we biscuits,but also dressingsor gastronomictokidsgrowing up in
business planner and developer, have afar better work/life balance noodles, salmon or cous cous. I South London.
than before,” says Aisie happily. devise all the recipesmyself –we Because, shereckons, aloveof
BIG COOK: You can tell by her sheer did abutternut squash,ham and food and cooking should not just
Aisie enthusiasm for Mini Cook cheese pizza for Halloween for be fostered in home economics
Koroma classesthatshe hasareal example and everyone loved it.” classes in schools (she admits
passion for communicating her Aisiesaysshe wasinspired by her own encounters with cooking
own love of food to the parents spending alot of time in Africa as at school were notthe most
and kids she meets. achild. Her grandmother ran a inspiring experiences).
Aisie says she made a home-based restaurant there She believes above all that
conscious decision not to which served lots of stews, fish cookingshouldbetreated as a
concentrate simply on baking and rice dishes and Aisie would playful, enjoyable pastime, not
and decorating biscuits and help out in the kitchen. justanotherlesson to be learnt
cakes, like so many other “When Iwas about eight I and tested on.
kids’ cookery classes. would also make butterscotch to “You can cook with kids at
“Parents caneasily take into school to sell. home, you don’t have to spend
bake at home with their “It was quite alucrative alot of moneyand it builds
children,” shesays. business,” she says. confidence,” says Aisie.
“Myclasses arevery “Now my favourite pastime is What more couldaparent
structured andIlay jumping on the traintoBorough ask for?
everything out for them to Market then coming home and ❑ Aisie’s Mini Cook classes run
use and they get to wash making some food,” sheadds. in terms in Lee, Blackheath
up afterwards,which they This love of food, which has Village, Greenwich and Forest
love,” she explains. stayed with Aisie since childhood, Hilland she’s hoping to expand
“Childrenlovemaking is what has inspired her to pass to Dulwich soon.
visitwww.minicook.co.uk, emailMini Cook classes
aisie@minicook.co.uk or call 020 8297 0422.
BLACKHEATH Quaker Meeting House,● Classes cost £120 for a10-week ● There are special one-off Mini cook
Independent Road, SE3 and FOREST HILLprogramme for pre-school children (two- to classes plannedinBlackheath for Mother’s
The Honor Oak Pub, 1StGermans Road,four-year-olds) or £160 for a10-week Day (dads only on Saturday, March 21) and
SE23. Call or email for dates and times.programme of after-school classes (for five- Easter (onSaturday, April 4.)
●Aisie runs free, no-obligation trials forto 11-year-olds). Thereare amaximum of ● Mini Cook also runs cooking parties. Mini
people who wishtotest out the Mini Cook12 children in everyclass. Cookprovides personalised invitations,
classesand see if it is suitable for themand●Classes take place in LEE Good Shepherd aprons,ingredients,decorativebiscuits, a
their children beforesigning up for afull term.Church,HandenRoad, SE12; GREENWICH cake box to take home, party games and a
● To find out when the next term beginsThe Forum, Trafalgar Road, SE10; presentfor the birthday boy or girl.
TIME 4 ME 036 Feb 2009
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