My name is I’m Leah Cohen, the one sacrificing her waistline for her dream: Eat this. 
 

Some would say I have an unusually strong, somewhat obsessive connection with food. In fact, I’m confident enough to say food consumes me more than I consume it!

 

I’m a 22-year-old journalism student, food enthusiast and travel addict with a passion for capturing life's great moments! When I’m not thinking about my next meal or planning a holiday, you’ll find me either in the kitchen cooking up a feast or watching food shows like VICE Munchies, anything with Anthony Bourdain (my absolute idol), Food Safari, Jamie Oliver or Nigella, The Domestic Goddess, indulging in some naughty late night snack. 

 

My culinary path began to pave itself way back when my mum use to take me to trendy cafes to sip on Baby Chinos instead going to preschool. Growing up as the fourth child of a big foodie family, I had no choice but swap my stringer cheese obsessions for buffalo mozzarella and Wonder White sandwiches for sour dough.

 

As a family, we would go on incredible adventures and eat our way through the food capitals of the world. Whether it was tucking into big fluffy pancakes in America, eating freshly baked, flaky croissants in Paris or thin-crusted pizza and creamy gelatos in Italy; it was definitely during these travels that I found my niche. 

 

A turning point for me was when I was welcomed into the kitchen at Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant Maze in London. The head chef gave me the low down of how it all worked behind the scenes. With chaos clattering in the background, he asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I eagerly replied, “A chef!” He then went on to tell my 15 year-old fragile self, that if I really wanted to be a chef, I’d be willing to sacrifice my life for the job, that there will be tears and burns… and everything he said after that was all a blur as it kind of freaked me out!

 

Although I didn't end up becoming a chef, it did inspire to me to complete a Le Cordon Bleu Cuisine diploma in London when I returned at 18. This beautiful, bustling city definitely sparked my exploratory eating of different cuisines, my fascination for people, cultures and anything that tickled my senses. Now, with the cooking basics down packed and a whole new appreciation for a chef’s life (and good knives!), I’ve been dabbling with food in countless ways since!  

 

I find inspiration for my recipes in seasonal ingredients, sourcing most products from my organic fruit and veggie garden at home. With Jewish and Eastern European roots, I know how important food is to all cultures, as sharing a meal is the very thing that brings my whole family together each week. The heart and soul of my household is the kitchen, where food has always been about sharing, celebrating, pleasure and making sure there are enough leftovers to dig into after a big night out. Rather too much than too little I say!  

 

There is nothing more satisfying than doing something you love with and for the people you love, exchanging stories, fine wine and good laughs together over a delicious meal.

 

Now get your appetite ready to tuck into Eat this. and enjoy the journey :) 

 

 

Leah x