About
Cooking with Liz
Helping Young People Cook, Care Leavers, Eat Well & Save Money
I’m Liz, and I’m passionate about helping young people gain the confidence to cook simple, healthy meals—without breaking the bank! Whether you’re new to the kitchen or just looking for ways to make the most of your ingredients, I’m here to guide you. Learning to Cook with Liz is all about making cooking fun, affordable, and accessible, while also helping you shop wisely and reduce food waste.
Every young person deserves to have the skills to help them live independently—cooking, budgeting, and making healthy choices.
But what happens when those skills haven’t been taught? This is where Cooking with Liz began. It all started with Ronan, a young person preparing for independent living.
His journey inspired the creation of Cooking with Liz, designed to help others just like him.
Who We Are – Ronan’s Story & My Journey
At just seventeen and a half, Ronan was preparing to leave the security and routines of foster care. Setting up a home on his own felt like a big step—exciting but also daunting.
Since 2014, I have been an agency foster carer. Ronan calls me Liz, although my full name is Elizabeth. I was lucky enough to care for Ronan from the week of his tenth birthday, and over the years, I’ve watched him grow into an independent young adult.
With a background as a Design and Technology Food Tutor (BA Hons. QTS), I’ve always believed that problem-solving is at the heart of good teaching. I used my skills to help Ronan transition to independent living by teaching him how to budget, shop, and cook. The idea was simple: Ronan would learn to prepare meals that he had planned and shopped for himself.
Why This Matters – Empowering Young People
While helping Ronan, it became clear that many other young people—and even their carers or parents—could benefit from learning how to shop smart and cook on a budget. That’s why Cooking with Liz was created.
Our mission is to help young people achieve independence and self-sufficiency through budgeting, food, and nutrition.
If you’re looking for meal budgeting tips, healthy eating guides, step-by-step recipe tutorials, or just the satisfying sounds of chopping, stirring, and sizzling, you’re in the right place. A single click is all it takes to start your journey; a great step in developing confidence when preparing for your independence.
What We Do – Cooking, Budgeting & Independent Living
“In an ideal world, we would shop wisely, eat well, and sustain resources for the future.” (Public Health England)
At Cooking with Liz, we believe that small, everyday choices—like planning meals, reducing food waste, and cooking from scratch—can lead to a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.
Making Healthier Choices with the Eatwell Guide
The Eatwell Guide provides simple tips for making healthier food choices.
How the Eatwell Guide influenced Ronan’s meal choices
Base meals on starchy foods – These provide energy and help keep you full:
- Rice: Risotto, paella, chicken curry with lentils and spinach
- Pasta: Pasta salad, spaghetti Bolognese, chilli con carne, lasagne
- Potatoes: Jacket potatoes, oven or air-fried wedges
- Bread: Sandwiches, pizza, wraps
Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables – Aim for at least five portions a day:
- Fruit salad, pasta salad, rice salad, Bolognese sauce, pizza, green salad
Eat more fish – Especially oily fish, twice a week, for heart health:
- Salmon pasta salad, paella, tuna pasta bake
- Sandwiches or wraps with salmon & cucumber or tuna & sweetcorn
Choose foods lower in fat and sugar – Reduce unhealthy extras:
- Use sauces like tomato or BBQ sparingly
- Cut down on sweets, crisps, biscuits, and cakes
Eat less salt – Use natural flavourings instead:
- Season meals with herbs, spices, or white/black pepper instead of salt
Stay active and maintain a healthy weight – Regular movement is key!
Drink plenty of fluids – Stay hydrated with water or sugar-free drinks:
- Tea and coffee is fine in moderation
- Limit fruit juice to small amounts
Don’t skip breakfast – It fuels your body for the day ahead!
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy balanced, healthy, and affordable meals while feeling your best!