The Cook Academy

I’m Daniela Forbes, a chef, stylist and food educator with Italian roots. I love helping people gain the skills and confidence they need to cook delicious food from scratch, in a fun, relaxed environment.

I studied at the Edinburgh School of Food and Wine, Leith’s Cookery School and the Bertinet Kitchen, as well as undertaking chocolate training with Chocolate Master Ruth Hinks of Cocoa Black. I’m fully PVG registered and hold all relevant food safety certificates. I’ve worked as head cook in various bistros and cafés, as well as running my own food education business working with clients like The Good Food Show, The Cake and Bake Show and Quality Meat Scotland, which involved creating and running workshops in secondary schools across Scotland.

Like so many people, lockdown meant I started to explore different ways of working. I hosted sourdough and pizza workshops from my home kitchen in Cramond, as well as testing my workshop ideas on my two young children (turns out cooking is a great way of homeschooling). This inspired me to launch The Cook Academy. I’m delighted to be working from St George’s School in Murrayfield – it’s right in the centre of beautiful Edinburgh, with fantastic facilities which will help me share my fun, informal and practical classes with even more people.