Back in 2018, Claire Ladkin purchased a jar of home-made lemon curd from the Square Food Foundation. Little did she know that it would lead to the launch of All About The Cooks in Bristol, an online marketplace and innovative concept, enabling the city’s talented home-cooks to sell their food online, from the comfort of their own homes.
With the mission to make it easy for people to eat real food made by local people well on its way, here’s a look back on the past year from the inspiring founder, a woman driven to create greater food connections within our communities.
" When I look back at 2021, it pretty much covers the whole of the time All About the Cooks has been actively selling food made by local people”
Towards the end of 2020 All About the Cooks launched its pilot phase to the people of Bristol, with three important questions:
Despite inevitable bumps along the way, we are thrilled to say that the answer to all three is a confident YES! Bristol communities have begun to embrace home-cooked food, made by a local, right on their doorsteps.
Of all these statistics, the one that stands out is that well over £25,000 has been paid into cooks’ pockets. This is money moving around within communities, enabling home cooks in Bristol to make money doing what they enjoy, alongside the other busy parts of their lives. The social impact All About The Cooks’ creates encompasses its values and is undoubtedly the driving force for Claire Ladkin
"Our part of this income is really quite a small percentage, but we have achieved 'Proof of Concept’ and are now ready to spread our wings elsewhere over the coming months."
Food is about bringing people together, which has become particularly important in recent years. As we plan ahead for the future, our goal is to sell delicious food made my local people in several more cities across the UK, with many, many more cooks joining the platform.
Cheers to 2022- watch this space!
We’re very proud that founder of All About The Cooks, Claire Ladkin, has been shortlisted as a Community Food Champion at the BBC Food & Farming Awards!
Our Bristol-born online marketplace for home-cooks is growing – Nick Davies and Will Hamilton join our advisory board!
For Refugee Week 2023, we look at how we’re making it easier for talented cooks from refugee and migrant backgrounds to enter the food industry!
It’s International Women’s Day 2023! Meet a few of our many amazing female cooks!
Try making Mireya’s vegan feijoada recipe for Veganuary this year.
If you like cooking, we have a New Year’s resolution that you’ll love!