Cooking Online in Lockdown with Nena Foster

As a freelance nutritional chef, my work revolves around working with people; whether it is a cookery class or workshop, working with clients on a 1-2-1 basis or cooking on a set for a cookbook or magazine. My job also revolves around consistent access to food, so it was no surprise, but still came as a shock, that when we ended up in lockdown all my work completely dried up or needed to be delivered without making contact with others. After an initial panic, I decided to take my experience as a cookery teacher, former university lecturer delivering remote teaching sessions and use my limited (but growing) tech skills to move the parts of my business that I could online. The first week of lockdown was spent trying to make sure my family had what we needed and was spent getting up to speed with transitioning to online class delivery. At times it felt completely impossible; juggling home, kids and attempting to work, but I realised that getting in the kitchen, improving their cooking skills and eating healthily was even more important now. And, I have always had a knack for making meals from cupboard dregs, but my diverse food background has given me the skills and know how to repurpose, reuse and substitute ingredients and still create something delicious and nutritious. I now run cookery classes online and live from my kitchen, to yours. The classes connect people at time when we’re desperately in need of seeing new faces, helps to sharpen your kitchen skills and the benefits of cooking in your own kitchen is important for learning how to use and adapt based on what you have in. My Kids Classes (1 hour) are a complete homeschool package. We focus on a core nutrition topic, I throw in some maths, we cook a nutritious recipe and at the end there’s one less snack that parents have to worry about prepping! Classes for adults include a Fermented Veg Masterclass (think sauerkraut & kimchi) and I also run bespoke 121 lessons where we jointly create a menu based on the ingredients you have or enjoy. I have also just launched a group cook and dine session for those who want to cook and eat with a group of friends—I even provide a themed playlist and drink pairings. For more detail on my classes head to

https://nenafosterfood.com/online-cookery

classes/ and I look forward to cooking with you! Nena trained as a nutritional chef at the College of Naturopathic Medicine and has worked with a range of inspiring chefs, including Anna Jones, as well she regularly develops recipes for clients such as Rude Health and other healthfocused brands. She runs workshops and cookery classes across London, including The Garden Museum in Lambeth. She is a mum of two and lives in South East London. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram @nena.foster.food where she is also running a recipe video series called ‘What’s in Your Fridge?’ to help followers create meals from odds and ends in your cupboard and fridge. @nena.foster.food

Cooking Online In Lockdown

Kesar & Co SOLICITORS

Lost your job? Discriminated at work? Perhaps you can get legal aid?

Legal aid is not available for employment disputes, right? Well, not completely. It can be available if your dismissal was based on harassment, victimisation, direct or indirect discrimination or breach of duty. You will still be expected to meet the funding criteria and provide evidence of your financial eligibility such as letters from DWP, but you could have access to an experienced legal practitioner and free, impartial legal advice and representation.

What falls within the scope?

The Equality Act 2010 offers protection to those who have experienced discrimination based on one of the “protected characteristics”, such as race, religion, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sex or sexual orientation. Victims of discrimination will be expected to prove that they have been treated differently from the people who do not share their protected characteristic or have experienced a provision, criterion or practice which is discriminatory.

If the alleged discrimination involves a public body, it is important to consider a possible breach of the public sector equality duty. The Act imposes an obligation on public bodies to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

What are the deadlines?

The proceedings at the Employment Tribunal must be initiated within three months of the end of your employment. The Equality Act allows more time, but the claims must be issued within 6 months, unless the alleged discrimination is ongoing.

What is the aim of legal action?

The courts may award compensation for the loss of earnings and related quantifiable losses as well as damages for injury to feelings. Although the victims have a duty to mitigate loss such as taking steps to find employment, such a requirement does not cover injury to feelings. The damages the court is likely to award are divided in 3 brackets:

lower band of £900 to £9,000 (less serious cases) middle band of £9,000 to £27,000 (cases that do not merit an award in the upper band) upper band of £27,000 to £45,000 (the most serious cases), with the most exceptional cases capable of exceeding £45,000

Who can qualify for legal aid?

The funding is very restrictive. The eligibility criteria have not been reviewed for many years and did not follow the rising cost of living, property prices, increase of income, including the minimum wage and other relevant factors. You can assess your own eligibility at https://www.gov.uk/legalaid/eligibility.

Not sure what to do?

Your nearest law firm with a specialist LAA discrimination franchise would be happy to help. Even if you don’t qualify for legal aid and are asked to pay a consultation fee, it may well be worth it! Kesar & Co Solicitors 27 London Road, Bromley, BR1 1DG Tel: 020 8181 3100 Email: contact@kesarco.co.uk www.kesarco.co.uk