Meet Katie Caldesi, author and co-founder of La Cucina Caldesi, the Italian cooking school which began in the heart of Marylebone, London.

The artist-turned-cookery-writer works alongside her Italian chef husband, Giancarlo Caldesi, and the two created La Cucina Caldesi together after the success of a years-long tradition run at their flagship restaurant - also based in Marylebone. Every Sunday, they would take the time to teach their friends and guests how to create their own fresh pasta; passing on their expertise and passion to those around them. It became a hugely popular event, and eventually the two made the decision to build their own purpose-built cookery school just round the corner from their original location.

From an all-day Pasta Class, to their 30 Minute Menu class, to the classes taught by Katie all about how to follow a Low-Carb Lifestyle - La Cucina Caldesi's classes have something for everyone, and run all throughout the week!

We spoke to Katie all about her love of cooking, her unusual teaching journey, and an even more unusual encounter that predicted her career journey!

Katie with husband Giancarlo outsdie their specialist-built cookery school in Marlyebone.

When did you first start cooking and what drew you to it?

I began cooking at a very young age, probably as young as a toddler and can remember helping my mum grind meat from a Sunday Roast using a mincer as young as 4 years old.  I think cooking was always in my DNA!  My parents instilled in me a love of flavour and I remember my mum made the best ever summer pudding!  Now I’m proud to be writing my very own children’s cookery book which is due out in November.

What made you realise that teaching might be for you and was it difficult for you to make that leap from creating for yourself to teaching others?

Years ago, an astrologer told me I was going to be a teacher but I didn’t believe them!  As an English woman learning to cook authentic Italian food, I thought “if I can do this, anyone can” and I really wanted to share my passion and knowledge after that.  I also used to teach paint effects in my previous career so the transition to teaching cookery wasn’t that hard.

What’s a milestone you’ve reached in your business that you’re proudest of?  Is there one you’re aiming to reach in the future?

I suppose I am most proud of the number of successful books I’ve published, 3 being bestsellers.  I’ve certainly been on a voyage of knowledge and think I’ve got better at writing recipes as I’ve gone along!  The popularity of my diabetes books has been incredible and I love the fact that they have helped so many people.  In terms of future goals, I would love to keep writing for as long as I possibly can!

La Cuncina Caldesi's main base in Marylebone, London. 

What’s your favourite dish to cook?

I suppose it would have to be a gorgeous Cannelloni with summer herbs and ricotta, either made the traditional Italian way or a Low Carb version.

(Author's note: We've found a recipe by Katie for this delicious Cannelloni here!)

How do you maintain your inspiration now you’ve turned your passion into a full-time career?  And how do you pass that inspiration onto your students?

I absolutely love working with different people asking them about food and what they love, that continually inspires me, whether it’s being lucky enough to eat in restaurants in different countries or just chatting to a stranger on the train!  It’s important to me to allow our students in the cookery school to have the most immersive experience possible, for them to have a really hands-on experience, tasting the food as we go along and discussing ingredients and flavours.

A range of ingredients from Katie's Low-Carb Lifestyle course.

What do you hope people take away from your classes?

At La Cucina Caldesi, we believe it’s so important to have a fun hands-on experience not just a lesson and for people to leave our classes desperate to go home and recreate what they’ve been taught.

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Find out more about La Cuncina Caldesi on our blog feature here

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