Lisa Di Gregorio

I'm Lisa, the founder of Bluebell Cottage Kitchen, a home bakery in Berkshire specialising in French pâtisserie, macarons and elegant desserts. I'm completely self-taught, with a passion for creating beautiful bakes that combine classic techniques with exciting flavours.Coming from an Italian family, food has always been a big part of my life. I grew up appreciating the simple pleasures of cooking, wonderful ingredients and sharing food with family and friends. My love of French pâtisserie developed through regular trips to Paris, where I fell in love with its beautiful little pâtisseries. After struggling to master macarons at home, I took a macaron course in 2018 and was completely hooked!What began as a passion soon became a new career. In 2020, at the age of 50, I took the leap from a corporate marketing career to start Bluebell Cottage Kitchen. Since then, I've developed my skills in French pâtisserie, creating everything from delicate macarons and éclairs to intricate entremets and petits gâteaux. I now teach macaron and pâtisserie classes at High Copse Pavilion in Shinfield, as well as hosting private classes from my home kitchen.My style is inspired by classic French pâtisserie, with a little Italian influence and a love of seasonal ingredients, nature and unexpected flavour combinations. I enjoy experimenting, refining recipes and adding those special little details that make each creation unique.I love sharing my knowledge and helping others discover the joy of pâtisserie in a relaxed, friendly environment. Whether you're a complete beginner or an enthusiastic home baker looking to learn new techniques, my aim is for you to leave feeling inspired, proud of what you've created and, of course, eager to bake again!My philosophy is simple: it's never too late to try something new, follow a passion and discover where it might lead.