Aoife Coghlan grew up in the Irish countryside, where seasonal, local and foraged eating were second nature — and where "what's for dinner?" was less a question than a nature documentary. Her curiosity about history and people led her to train as an archaeologist and study drama at The National Theatre School of Ireland, making her uniquely qualified to dig things up and then create performances about them.

These passions shaped a career built around bringing people together through food. While living in Dublin, Aoife launched The Open Door Supper Club — doing exactly what it sounds like, flinging open her front door and inviting strangers in for extraordinary dining experiences (her neighbours have mostly forgiven her). She also created site-specific culinary events at venues including The Science Gallery, Broadstone Art Studios, and — because a roof is merely a suggestion — a field in West Cork.

A 2015 graduate of the celebrated Ballymaloe Cookery School, she has since worked on numerous cookbook shoots, as a pastry chef and served as a private and retreat chef in locations across Europe and beyond.

Aoife keeps it simple: fresh, local, in season. That's where great food starts.

Follow Aoife’s cooking adventures here