About Us
Since inception in 2023, we have garnered interest and support from the community in Milton Keynes and beyond.
They have also created a board of trustees, bringing in skills in marketing, PR, administration and finance.
At the current time (July 2025), Auntie's Cookery Academy is pending registration with the Charities Commission, but is registered with Companies House (15356694) and able to accept donations into our charity bank account.
We hope to be fully fully registered very soon - watch this space!
"2.5 to 4 years after youth had aged-out of the child welfare system, 50% had used illegal drugs, 25% were involved with the legal system, and only 17% were completely self supporting"
... so what about the other 83%?
Sarah Geenen et al. (2017) ‘Tomorrow is another problem’
Meet The Team
Emily-Jane Dale
Chair & CEO
Emily-Jane worked in media for many years but, like many others, found herself out of work during the pandemic. With a lifelong love of cooking - having trained as a chef after leaving school - she seized the opportunity to return to her roots and launched Auntie Em’s Kitchen, sharing vibrant world food recipes for events, private clients, and community projects. Most recently, Emily-Jane completed a degree focused on food education and its long-term impact on independence, employability, and wellbeing. Her dissertation explored how cookery programmes can combat food insecurity and food poverty among vulnerable young people, demonstrating the power of hands-on learning to drive lasting, meaningful change. Combining professional experience, academic insight, and a deep commitment to community, Emily-Jane now leads Auntie’s Cookery Academy with one clear mission: to equip individuals not just to cook—but to thrive.
Annabelle Lawrence
Secretary
Passionate about social justice and a huge foodie, Belle brings 20 years of marketing and advertising experience to the Board. Belle just loves rolling her sleeves up and getting stuck in to every project, in several ways! Belle also loves to champion and support people, and as well as asking asking "why not", she paves the way to "we did it!". Belle’s network in the hospitality and marketung industry, as well as her background in corporate negotiations and operations lends itself greatly to the building and ongoing success of Auntie’s Cookery Academy.
Elizabeth Micklem
Treasurer
Liz has worked in finance for 15 years across a wide range of clients, charities and industries. She loves the figures! But more importantly what they mean, and how they help steer decisions that will help Auntie’s Cookery Academy grow and meet its objectives. Working with different clients day in, day out means she’s seen it all when it comes to finances. Navigating the technical terms, adapting to different challenges and fundamentally helping growth. Outside of being a ‘boring’ accountant she spends her time eating (of course!), dog walking and watching rugby.
Our Network
Our course has been developed alongside AKG (formerly Learn Plus Us) to create the Award certification and ensure safeguarding.
Working with Milton Keynes City Council means that care leavers have the opportunity to be referred to our course.
We interact with Become to understand the challenges that care leavers face, keeping up with the latest data.
We connect and work with YMCA Northampton to understand the needs of our target group better.