Like so many, when Covid 19 forced the county to shut down, chef Jacqueline Wise (who catered for weddings and private dining experiences) was hit hard. A creative and experienced Cordon Bleu Chef trained at Tante Marie Culinary Academy, Jacqueline has worked at Buckingham Palace, The Ritz and Michelin Star restaurants. She also reached the semi-finals of Young Chef of the Year competition and won TV Cookery Show “Win it Cook it” on Channel 4. Since then she’s even appeared on Masterchef The Professionals.
But as they say (or perhaps they don’t), you can’t keep a good chef down and by way of fighting back, Positively Delicious was born. Teaching and presenting seem to be in Jacqueline’s blood (you’ll often hear Jacqueline on BBC Sussex) and Positively Delicious combines sharing her own favourite recipes with hosting fun food demonstrations and cookery presenting, and pop-up foodie experiences. Her events are known for high energy, original, and memorable food and can be found based in fields, classrooms, woodlands and barns, as well as private homes and at foodie events.
Regenerative cooking
Jacqueline and her team are passionate advocates of what’s know as regenerative cooking. Regenerative cooking is about using ingredients and recipes that are good for your wellbeing (because they are full of nutrients as well as flavour) and also good for the planet. Or in other words, farmed or produced using sustainable methods that protect and also restore our environment. Jacqueline explained further:
“We advocate organic and artisan produce, and we have a zero-food waste policy. Our planet needs us to understand how to cook and eat in not just a sustainable, but a regenerative way to start undoing some of the damage. We celebrate honest, high quality food, cooked simply and showcased by experts with infectious enthusiasm for all things edible. Because we want our events to be fun and engaging. And we want to inspire people to express themselves through cookery, and believe all the best people love to eat! It’s the ultimate feel-good food!”
This summer’s seafood demo and dine
One of the Positively Delicious events to look out for this summer is their West Sussex sustainable dining event, hosted in coastal Worthing. Guests will be treated to a fire-cooked, sustainably inspired, four-course menu with a short cookery demonstration and top tips on how to source the very best British seafood, while keeping the health of the oceans in mind. Many ingredients will come from Jacqueline’s own allotment, or be foraged from local hedgerows.
Menu*
Hosted at the eclectic Meet at 80 venue, Positively Delicious are collaborating with Luna and The Lane to create a unique ambiance.
Flame charred sourdough, wild garlic butter
Starter
BBQ hand-dived scallops, lime, harissa aioli, bacon crumbs, coriander
or
High Weald Dairy “Medita” organic feta-style cheese, melon & mint salad with cold pressed rapeseed oil, walnuts (V)
Main
South Coast halibut, dauphinoise potatoes, sorrel salsa verde, heritage tomatoes
or
Roasted courgette, aubergine, pecan & cheddar tart, dauphinoise potatoes, sorrel salsa verde, heritage tomatoes (V)
Dessert
Double chocolate truffle torte with clotted cream, seasonal berries, berry sauce & violet flower caramel glass (V)
(*Subject to change based on seasonal availability of ingredients)
Guests are invited to bring their own drinks for this event and there are fish, vegetarian, gluten free options available on request. The venue is only a few minutes’ drive from the beach, so you could enjoy a dip in the sea to invigorate yourself, before relaxing with like-minded foodies. This is a one-off event with limited availability, and only 24 tickets available each night.
Find out more or book: Cookery Workshops | Positively Delicious Cookery School | Guildford
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