Aussie cook comes to Brixham

Claire Voutsinas has just returned to Brixham to stay with her brother and his wife for twelve months. She was born in Reading, Berkshire and at the age of nineteen she decided, with a girlfriend, to travel to Australia for £10.

This was an offer too good to refuse, committing them to stay for two years, but she stayed for 37 years. (This is how the nickname ten pound poms originated).

Her first job, within one week of arriving in Melbourne was a cafeteria assistant with Telecom, where she met her husband Dennis. Ten months later she was married. Today, Claire has two lovely daughters, one of who has come with them to work and travel around England.

After City and Guilds hospitality training Claire gained teacher training in Melbourne and taught Home Economics and Food Hospitality at Further Education Colleges. She e-mailed the ACL Centre in Brixham with the idea of offering beadwork jewellery classes at the centre but when Jenny Harriman (Head of Centre) discovered her background she asked her to teach a cookery course for physically disabled members of ACE as well.

This will take place on Monday evenings with the emphasis on easily prepared nutritious meals from various cuisines, including food from China, Thailand, Greece, (her husband's origin) and Australia. Claire also hopes to offer Australian cookery classes to the wider public in September. Her husband, Dennis, being an ex Fifa referee, loves the prominence given to football in the UK .

Claire's other passion is Jewellery Making which she has taught in Melbourne. She said, “Jewellery designing and making is very popular in both Australia and America . I am looking forward to encouraging anyone who would like to discover the pleasure and satisfaction of designing and making their own jewellery at a one day workshop on Saturday 17th May”.

Full details of Claire's classes from Brixham ACL on

01803 853302.