Monday 14th July 2008
Tuesday 15th July 2008
Sophia, popular demonstrator and author reveals the secrets and flavours of her homeland, sharing some fabulous recipes.
Sophia will demonstrate a menu that can be replicated as a dinner party, with plenty of cooking in advance, giving more freedom to the host.
The individual dishes are versatile and can be served as part of a brunch, lunch or supper menu.
Recipes will include tortilla soup, pork carnitas, salsa's, zesty salads and dessert.
Most ingredients will be available from any supermarket in the U.K. and there will be an introduction on ingredients that are native to Mexico, which can be easily obtained on mail order or at specialist shops.
Course price - £45.
For your interest.....
- Summer walled garden.
- Explore the beautiful grounds and lakeside walks.
More about Sophia Craxton
I was born into a family of cooks in Mexico’s vibrant capital city and learnt my cookery from my mother, my grandmother and other family members who were all passionate about food. Their cooking was down-to-earth, wholesome and inspired by the foods and cooking traditions of Mexico. They were also creative cooks, never afraid to experiment with new flavours and ingredients.
Inspired by them, I took a degree in Chemistry and Food Science at Mexico City University and began my food career. I met my English husband during the Hand-of-God match at the World Cup in Mexico in 1986 and that brought me to the UK. Initially I worked creating sauces and condiments for a company that holds the Royal Warrant and supplies quality places like Fortnum and Mason. I went on to develop recipes for the highly successful New Covent Garden Soup Co, where my recipes included the ever-popular Thai Spinach and Spicy Corn Chowder. I launched these products into the marketplace and later travelled to the United States to develop a highly successful soup range for the NCG sister company in San Francisco. I also expanded the NCG range to include beans, and sauces.
In 2000 I decided to create fiestasofia: my own food business, which provides consultancy services, menu development, food writing, catering and teaching, and has an emphasis on Mexico and Latin America. Some of my clients have included the Mexican Embassy, Tequila Cuervo, the BBC, the Royal Academy of Arts and the Chelsea Arts Club. I have also had stalls at well-known London street markets (eg Borough Market) and taken part in the Coin Street Festival and various Latin American festivals. I enjoy taking my food, to many different types of people and seeing it appreciated in vastly differing locations. I also love to teach cookery; so demonstrations, workshops and classes are now part of my working life, mainly at London’s Books for Cooks, Divertimenti Cookery School, The Institute, The Bertinet Kitchen, Petit Gourmet and Mexico Gallery.
I have appeared on Radio 4’s ‘Food Programme’, and as a live guest on ‘Veg Talk’. I also do regular slots for BBC Southern Counties Radio and I recently finished my first cookery book: ‘The Mexican Mamma’s Kitchen’, published in September 2005, sold at places like Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Waterstones and Selfridges. This book reflects the cooking and atmosphere of my mother’s kitchen and has recently been selected a finalist in the Latino section in the Gourmand Worldwide Cooking Awards 2006.
