Kirsty Beighton

My name is Kirsty Beighton & I'm a freelance Private Chef, based in London.
In 2015, I made the decision to change my life follow my dream of becoming a Professional Chef.  
I enrolled on the Full Professional Diploma Course at one of the country's best culinary schools:
Leith's School of Food Wine, London, graduating in 2016.

It was the best decision I ever made.

Since then?
I've been working as a free-lance Private Chef, experiencing the world of food through all sorts of different jobs: 
- One-off private formal & casual dinner parties
- Regular family cooking
- Week-long trips with families on holiday
- Formal & casual Canapé parties
- BBQs & buffets
- Corporate Catering
- Event Catering Companies
- Birthday parties
- Restaurant kitchens (including the Duck & Waffle, London!)
- Week-long adventures to the remote countryside with school trips...!

You name it, I've probably given it a go..!
(& all in the space of several months! It's been one heck of a ride!)

Throughout this rollercoaster ride of a start to my new career, I can honestly say that I haven't looked back once.
Never regretted it, even for a second.
I love my job I feel lucky every day I work.

Life before food?
Before pursuing my passion for cooking, I was a dedicated competitive athlete: A Springboard Platform Diver. 
During my school years, I was training for several hours a day, 6 days a week (including mornings) competed at both National International competitions.
Just as I do with my cooking now, I put 100% into my training loved every second of it!

Sport gave me the opportunity to learn, experience put into practice excellent nutrition.
I've been able to transfer apply this knowledge experience into my work as a Private Chef, meaning I can confidently advise, cook serve well-balanced, healthy food where necessary.

I consider myself to be a dedicated, determined passionate individual. I always give 100% to everything I do, to be sure that I can proud of everything I produce.

What do I love to cook?
One of the questions I always get asked at jobs, is what are the kind of food that I love to cook?
To be honest, I'm happy cooking virtually anything...if what I create makes people happy, I get such a rush of satisfaction that it doesn't matter what it is! 
I'll always put love passion into my food,
but everyone has their favourites specialities...
...so here are a few of mine:

Mediterranean 
(Spanish/Italian etc.)
This is also probably my favourite cuisine to eat! I just love the fresh, healthy ingredients  flavours of Mediterranean cuisine. (Particularly fish, fresh vegetables, herbs & spices!)
I love the Italian's attitude to preparing enjoying good food good company, as well as their focus of just using a few good quality ingredients with love care, to create something truly mind-blowing.
I love how the Spanish serve unique dishes, like Paella, that when done well, packs the most incredible complex flavour punch! Then there's Tapas, which is a genius invention...
...I mean, why just choose one dish when you can sample many, right?!

Healthy Eating & Special Diets
Because of my background as an athlete, I have always had a keen interest in health nutrition have gained a huge amount of experience knowledge in the best diets for a range of lifestyles, including weight loss, maintenance &  gaining diets, sports nutrition, healing (mental physical wellbeing) nutrition & general every-day nutrition.
It fascinates me how just the way you eat can have such a huge impact on how you feel your general health.
I've also had a lot of experience with "Special Diets," especially Vegetarianism, Veganism, Gluten & Dairy-free. I feel very strongly that everyone should be able to enjoy a wide range of tasty, nutritious food, regardless of their dietary requirements. So, I'm always looking to create develop recipes dishes that can be enjoyed by everyone, but don't sacrifice on flavour!

Baking Pastry
Nothing quite beats a freshly baked loaf of bread, straight from the oven!
A lot of chefs tend not to share the love of baking pastry. I, on the other hand, absolutely love it!
What I love more than anything about my job, is seeing people enjoy something I've made from scratch, with love care...
...& a really good dessert usually nails it!
It's also a totally different way of cooking, with precise measures temperatures...focus is key. I love the challenge!
Some example of my favourites? Many varieties of Chocolate Brownies (a bit of a signature of mine!), Cakes, Tarts, Flapjacks, Cookies & Breads!

Breakfast/Brunch
I have a real fascination with breakfast!
It amazes me how wherever you are in the world, you can be sure the "traditional" breakfast will be different. For breakfast (unlike any other meal), anything goes, which I truly love!
There are so many options, from sweet to savoury, healthy to indulgent...it doesn't matter, if it's breakfast or brunch time, you can eat it (without being judged!!!)
Some of my specialities include: Pancakes, French Toast, Poached Eggs (or eggs any way really!), Veggie & Meat Fry-ups, Homemade Granolas & the many ways/flavours of Oats...!

For more about me & my adventures, recipes & general foodie rambling, be sure to check out my blog:
http://a-taste-for-life.weebly.com/

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(all photos are my own!)

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