THE COOK

Mathilde van der Does de Willebois

I will cook for you, provide a full catering service for your events, teach you my secrets, and prepare some of my best dishes for you to serve and enjoy at home

Tilly came to East Bergholt after living for twentyfive years on a hill in Tuscany, tending her olive trees and her kitchen garden. Her greatest pleasure is sharing the secrets of cooking good, fresh ingredients slowly and with love, as she was taught by her neighbours, methods handed down from mother to son, father to daughter over many generations of Tuscan farming families. Read more about Tilly here   

“Tilly’s delicious food brings together the amazing fresh flavours of France and Italy.
As well as being a great cook, she is a patient teacher and lively hostess.” 
Shilpa Belinga, ORGANIC TUSCANY

Ready Meals

The most popular dishes are my very Italian beef Lasagne and Boeuf Bourgignon. The shepherd’s pie I often cook for shoot lunches, using slow cooked shoulder of lamb, is another option...

Learn More about my Ready Meals

Classes in Classic Tuscan cookery

Learn the secrets of Tuscan farm kitchens, the selection of fresh vegetables, ripe fruit, good quality olive oil and wine, and how to prepare and cook them slowly and with love, to make truly great food. The proof lies in the meal we eat at the end of each class.
Learn more  by clicking on Classes 

"Tilly’s workshops are extremely popular because of her charm and enthusiasm for
simple, but delicious rustic cooking. Being an artist, she has a wonderful eye for
detail and brings an extra dimension to her recipes and the presentation of her dishes."
Sherri Singleton, THE MISTLEY KITCHEN

"Mum, I don't need to look at the recipe, Tilly is such a good teacher." Luke, 9 years old

Exclusive Private Catering

From an intimate dinner party to a gathering of seventy or more people, I and my team will prepare food, deliver, serve, and clear up. Every host has different requirements. This service is always tailor made to customer's circumstances and wishes. Call me or email to discuss what you want.

“It's not just her gracefulness around the hot pots... it’s also the sense of improvising for big numbers at short notice and making it bloody delicious!” Nencia Bolza, CASTELLO DI RESCHIO