My name is Nichole Fernandez.
I was born in the 70's in South Africa in the beautiful city of Durban.
I come from a large family and there was always lots of cooking going on. At 6 or 7 I developed a keen interest in all the food preparations. I would stand close by and watch: taking in as much as possible. Eventually, to my amazement, I was given a piece of chicken to cut up which was a great joy: finally I showed Mum that I could do it and get it right!
My passion for cooking and baking continued over the years. I attended a school in which cookery and sewing was part of the curriculum and I studied Home Economics. After school, I worked as a baker and later a chef purely on skills and experience.
I have now made NZ my home and this new adventure has found me teaching adults and children and I love it. I believe that anyone can be great at cooking and baking - we all have gifts and talents - and it often requires someone taking the time with love and devotion to cultivate those giftings.
My young chefs are amazing: I'm always humbled by them after each lesson. I honestly want to leave a generation of kids who will continue to cook for their families and themselves as I believe that food brings the family together at the table and it is a quintessential human experience.
Open Hours
Term Time: Monday - Wednesday 9:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday - Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm
School Holidays: When courses are running the office is open 9:00am - 4:00pm