Better Business / Member profile
‘Cooking is where conversations loosen and people surprise themselves’
Monica Worsley is the founder of Cooking It, a vibrant community-focused cookery school on Gloucester Road. It brings people together through hands-on food experiences.
Monica, who is originally from Barcelona, places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, creativity and local spirit. The school welcomes everyone – from families and friends to corporate teams, children and teenagers discovering the joy of cooking from scratch.
Can you describe the career journey that has led you to where you are today?
If my career had a tidy flowchart, it would be wildly inaccurate. My journey has been more like a well-used recipe notebook, splashes, crossings-out, and the occasional “let’s see what happens if I try this”. And honestly, that’s exactly how Cooking It came to life.
“If there’s one thing I focus on above all else in business, it’s people,” said Monica Worsley , founder of Cooking It
Food has always been my anchor. Not in a white-tablecloth, starched-apron way, but as a connector. Cooking is where conversations loosen, confidence grows, and people surprise themselves. After all, the best parties happen in the kitchen.
I didn’t set out to build a cookery school and events space. I set out to create experiences where people could cook together, laugh together, and leave feeling better than when they arrived. Over time, that instinct grew into Cooking It, shaped by listening, experimenting, and constantly asking, “How can this be more fun, more inclusive, more memorable?”
Tell us about one (or more) of the people who inspired you along the way?
I’ve been inspired by many people along the way, but not always the ones you’d expect. Rather than famous founders, it’s been the quietly brilliant people around me. Small business owners who show up every day, adapt when things don’t go to plan, and still find time to care about their customers.
I’ve also been hugely inspired by my family members in Barcelona that I’ve worked with, people who understand that cooking isn’t about showing off knowledge, but about giving it away generously. Watching someone go from “I can’t cook” to “I made that!” never gets old.
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Are there any memorable challenges you have faced along the way?
Challenges? Plenty. Running a business means spinning plates while someone keeps adding more. You’re making creative decisions one minute and spreadsheets the next. You’re the visionary, the problem-solver, the organiser, and occasionally the person fixing the dishwasher five minutes before guests arrive.
Like many small businesses, we faced some serious tests during the pandemic, which forced us to rethink, pivot, and stay resilient. But the most memorable challenges have been internal, learning to trust my instincts, make decisions without perfect information, and accept that growth doesn’t always look neat.
What is the most important thing for you to focus on in business?
If there’s one thing I focus on above all else in business, it’s people. Everything at Cooking It revolves around how people feel when they walk through the door.
Are they relaxed? Curious? Excited? Whether it’s a team-building event, a birthday party, or someone’s first ever cookery class, the experience matters more than anything. When people feel welcome and supported, the business side tends to take care of itself.
If you had one piece of advice to offer people aspiring to your role, what would it be?
For anyone aspiring to a similar role, my advice is simple: start before you feel ready. You will never have all the answers, and that’s fine. Confidence comes from doing, not waiting. Expect mistakes, learn quickly, and keep moving. Also, look after your energy. Passion is wonderful, but sustainability is essential. A business should support your life, not swallow it whole.
If you could change one thing about your sector, or Bristol as a whole, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about the sector, and Bristol more broadly, it would be encouraging even more collaboration between independent businesses. Bristol is already brilliant at this, but there’s huge potential when creatives, makers, and entrepreneurs genuinely support each other. Shared audiences, shared ideas, shared success, it makes the city stronger and more interesting.
Cooking It is a vibrant community-focused cookery school on Gloucester Road
What are your aspirations for the future (personally and for Bristol)?
Looking ahead, my aspiration is to continue growing Cooking It without losing its heart. To keep evolving our classes and events while staying true to what makes them special: warmth, playfulness, and connection around food and the kitchen table.
For Bristol, I hope it remains a city that backs independents, celebrates creativity and makes space for people to try something new. Because the best ideas, like the best meals, are often born when people gather around the table or the kitchen.
All photos: Cooking It
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