Have you ever cooked a meal you saw on a cooking show or in a cookbook only to be disappointed by how it tasted? Do you cut yourself instead of the vegetables or start small kitchen fires? Do you avoid potlucks and eat mostly takeout? Do you want desperately to have more confidence in the kitchen?

I believe with all my heart everyone on this earth can cook. Learning basic cooking skills will never, ever be a waste of money or time or go out of style.

How this works is simple: Email me that you are interested in starting a journey such as private cooking lessons, I will send you a questionnaire to fill out from which I will create a series of private cooking sessions based on your answers so you can meet your goals in the kitchen at the end of our lessons. Goals will and should include: basic kitchen knowledge that includes: Knife skills (game-changer), Cooking methods such as searing, braising, sautéing etc. An ability to judge what flavors are missing in a dish and how to fix it, proper portioning, a comfort level and confidence in the kitchen that you did not have before-which is at least a quarter of the battle with cooking.

Pricing for the private cooking course is as follows:

Are you ready to fill out the questionnaire and take control of the kitchen?

Do you relate to any of these statements:

I really wish I knew if my father who still lives alone was eating at least one filling and nutritious meal each day.

By the time I get home from work and cook a well-balanced meal that everyone actually likes, we aren’t finished eating until 9.

If I have to come up with one more week of lunches for my gluten free third grader I’m going to run away from home.

My services can be as easy as dropping off a week’s worth of packed lunches on a Sunday night, to something as involved as purchasing groceries and cooking your meals in your home. First thing to do is get in touch and we will come up with the perfect meal service solution for you based on your schedule, needs and budget.

lisa@myallaroundkitchen.com

Have you ever been to a party that you wished you had thrown? Do the decoration ideas you steal off the internet never look like the ones in the pictures? Have you always wanted to host the perfect dinner party but you just don’t have the time or ability?

I love a good dinner party or small gathering. I love any excuse to throw one. For example your low key friend is getting married and you're in charge of her shower or it’s your dating anniversary and you want to commemorate it with a nice meal. It’s Oscar night, your kid’s slumber party, ladies night…the list goes on. These are all reasons to throw a dinner party or small gathering or memorable meal. These little events shape our lives and our relationships. They are what we look forward to when we are doing life’s chores.

If you have an event you need to host coming up, or just have always wanted to throw a dinner party or small gathering-contact me and I will see your vision through. Pricing is dependent on your budget, guest amount and event type.

lisa@myallaroundkitchen.com

In 2012 I created the Astoria Book and Supper Club. It is an in-home supper club that combines two things I love: dinner parties and books. First I choose a book that inspires me. Then I create a 4-6 course menu and set the date and price of admission. I contact all my acquaintances who have expressed interest and book the first 6-8 people who reply. The table is always set in a fun book-themed way and each guest gets a menu that also has discussion questions so there is always a steady flow of conversation. Everyone has a great time, and I just love putting these nights together.

Is your book club in serious need of a ‘refreshments’ make over?

Let’s discuss ways I can make your book club meetings the best plans your members have all month. From finger foods to a sit-down course out dinner, we can come up with the perfect way for your book club to immerse themselves into the book on any budget.

lisa@myallaroundkitchen.com

My husband is allergic to gluten and dairy. His stomach also can’t handle large amounts of onions, tomatoes or soy. This affects our daily lives and our kitchen is virtually gluten and dairy free. For the past 4 years I have been cooking almost completely gluten and dairy free and people can’t tell the difference.

If you or someone in your household has to eat a gluten free or dairy free lifestyle this can be very straining on everyone at home. It does not have to be, and I have made believers out of many difficult naysayers. I can teach you how to achieve an allergy friendly pantry and create allergy friendly meals that the entire family can enjoy. I am also happy to customize any range of events you have to throw that need to be allergy friendly.

lisa@myallaroundkitchen.com