About me

I’m Daniela Forbes, a chef, food stylist and educator with Italian roots and a passion for simple, seasonal food. I love helping people gain the skills and confidence they need to cook delicious food from scratch in a fun, relaxed and welcoming environment.

I trained at the Edinburgh School of Food and Wine, Leiths School of Food and Wine and the Bertinet Kitchen, and have also undertaken specialist chocolate training with Chocolate Master Ruth Hinks of Cocoa Black. I am fully PVG registered and hold all relevant food safety certifications.

Over the years I have worked as a chef and head cook in cafés and bistros, as well as developing and delivering food education programmes across Scotland. Through my work, I have collaborated with organisations and events including The Good Food Show, The Cake & Bake Show, Quality Meat Scotland, Seafood Scotland and the Scottish Game Fair, where I now curate and host the Cookery Theatre programme. My work has involved creating engaging food experiences for audiences of all ages, from school workshops and public demonstrations to live events and hands-on cookery classes.

Like so many people, lockdown prompted me to explore new ways of sharing my love of food. I began running sourdough and pizza workshops from my home kitchen in Cramond and tested many of my ideas on my two children (it turns out cooking is a pretty good way to homeschool). The response was so positive that it inspired me to launch The Cook Academy.

Today, The Cook Academy offers practical, hands-on cookery experiences designed to build confidence, develop skills and bring people together through great food. Whether you're joining a bread-making workshop, a family cooking class or a children's holiday camp, my aim is always the same: to make cooking feel enjoyable, achievable and part of everyday life.