THE JOURNEY AND MISSION

Aly’s Story…

My focus is on helping people realise that vegan food can be delicious, look and taste amazing and is every bit as substantial and meaty as its carnivore counterpart dishes.  Even when using ingredients you have in the cupboard and fridge all the time. No hard to find ingredients. No big budget shopping. Just great recipes for your family through the week and the holidays. 

Aly is a classically trained chef, tutor and food writer originally from North Wales, now living in the French Alps.

My late Mum, Iris, was largely responsible for my interest in cooking, and I remember cooking with Mum and taking in everything she taught me.. and did in our family kitchen from a very early age. There was always chutney bubbling on the stove, or a cake baking when I got home from school. When I was 7 or 8 years old she would make curries, homemade pizzas and  lasagne for when friends came over, and back then in the mid 70s that was pretty special!

I began my career at 16 years old, first at catering college and part time jobs. From there it was onto uni for some more hotels and catering training followed by a year studing Cordon Blue Cookery at what was The Tante Marie School of Cookery. By the time I was 21 years old I had progressed to the role of private chef onboard super yachts and motor sailers cruising the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and onto the Caribbean. 

By the time I’d hit late teens, I had already developed a passion for meat free cooking and this quickly became my speciality throughout my cooking career.

It wasn’t long before I decided vegan and meat free was my passion the only way forward. This is what I wanted for myself and others who I could help gain more confidence in their meat free cooking. 

My travels and work have taken me around the world visiting many wonderful locations, which have provided me with a learning experience, that I couldn’t have found in any training centre or school. 

I moved to France in 2016 with my then 10 year old son and continued building my business online. The transition from face to face working  and private cheffing for clients was quite the learning curve. I knew it was my best route to reach more people around the world, and educate about plant based cuisine.

 

I continue to cook and develop recipes today, teaching people to create fabulous meat free meals via from quick and easy family meals, to budget recipes and dishes for entertaining and dinner guests. 

My focus is on helping people realise that vegan food can be delicious, look and taste amazing and is every bit as substantial and meaty as the carnivore counterpart dishes.  Even when using ingredients you have in the cupboard and fridge all the time. 

Thanks to my knowledge and skills in web development and all things digital, I was able to create an online learning space, known as Cooks Studio to members. I’m still creating plenty of free content and recipes, here on Aly CJ Cooks website and also on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Type #alycjcooks into Google and you’ll find me!

BEST EVER LENTIL VEGETABLE WELLINGTON

  BEST EVER LENTIL VEGETABLE WELLINGTON The perfect meat free centre piece to slice up and serve with a rich gravy and your favourite roast potatoes. 2 jam jars cooked lentils or beans (jam jar or coffee mug) (I used mung beans. 1 quantity dried lentils = 2...

EASY VEGAN KATSU CURRY SAUCE

  EASY VEGAN KATSU CURRY SAUCE Easy creamy Katsu curry sauce. Service with crispy chickpea patties, tofu or seitan. This is a delicious versatile that can be poured over veggies on a bed of rice or noodles. knifeChopping boardsaucepanblender 1 large or 2 small...

BEST EASY PLANT BASED CHILLI

  BEST EASY PLANT BASED CHILLI TIKTOK PLANT BASED RECIPES!Veggie chilli recipe from the 80s! Well almost! Dust off your shell suits, oversized dungarees and neon socks! Get that hair back combed HIGH and remember… The Only Way Is Up!! … Baby  I bring you the...

THE BEST EASY RASPBERRY SULTANA PANCAKES

  THE BEST EASY RASPBERRY SULTANA PANCAKES How to make the best delicious vegan raspberry sultana pancakes! So easy. Good for brunch. Good for your budget and good for everyone! 150 g All purpose / plain flour1 tsp Baking powder1/2 tsp Baking soda1 tsp Apple...

POPCORN BISCOFF TIFFIN

  VEGAN POPCORM BISCOFF TIFFIN A really delicious sweet chocolatey treat that's easy to make with your friends for a party or with the kids on a rainy weekend. Switch it up and try with different biscuits and fruity pieces! It's truly scrumptious 😍 For...

BEST CRISPY VEGETABLE BITES WITH CARROT AND CUMIN

  Best Vegan Crispy Vegetable Carrot Cumin Bites Delicious vegan and gluten free mini vegetable bites. Gluten free too and perfect as a starter, with drinks and nibbles, a good dipping sauce on the side or even in a bun with lettuce and mayo and all the...

EASY TERIYAKI SAUCE

  EASY TERIYAKI SAUCE Quite possibly one of the tastiest sauces I've made and it can be served with so many dishes! Get your creative juices flowing (and your mouth watering!) with this super easy, incredibly versatile Easy Teriyaki Sauce. 80 ml low salt soy...

ENERGY OAT BLISS BALLS

  ENERGY OAT BLISS BALLS 45 g rolled oats50 g your choice of add ins : (chocolate chips, mixed crushed nuts, seeds, hemp seeds, chopped dried fruit, acai berries (or powder) cocoa and coconut)2 tbsp chia seeds2 tbsp cashew, peanut or almond butter2 tbsp maple...

CRISPY TOFU IN ORANGE PEANUT SAUCE

  CRISPY TOFU IN ORANGE PEANUT SAUCE Sometimes I just crave a fake away! Don't you? I nearly always have tofu and rice or noodles in the cupboards, if not for dinner for ourselves, then for an event or some recipe work for classes. I always have rice wine...

THE BEST CRISPY ROAST POTATOES

  CRISPY ROAST POTATOES NEW recipe with full version narrated method video and description with ingredient list in the section below . A delicious side dish for any time of year. You can use almost any kind of potato, cut into cubes, quarters, wedges or what ever...

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