Maggie Beer invites Aussies into her home kitchen for virtual cooking lessons

Maggie Beer has opened her kitchen up to the nation, inviting Aussies to join her for a series of free online cooking lessons amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

The 75-year-old Australian chef launched the online classes – which she has titled ‘Cooking with Maggie’ – last Friday and has since released a new video every day, showing people how to create impressive meals using pantry staples, and in just 20 minutes.

Announcing her new project, she said: “Join Maggie in her kitchen as she shares with you how to create simple, delicious and nourishing meals using traditional pantry staples and vegetables from her garden.”

Maggie is hosting the daily lessons on her Facebook and Instagram pages and has so far dished out instructions on how to make a range of dishes including pumpkin and oat risotto, chicken brodo, beetroot and chickpea salad, and eggplant and eggs.

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Fans of the popular chef have praised the initiative online, with one person commenting: “Maggie, you’re a National treasure! You bring so much joy and comfort to all of us! Thank you.”

Another said: “Maggie, you truly are a beautiful woman. Thank you for your light in dark times. Thank you.” While another wrote: “Love this! Such a wonderful idea Maggie, a dish I wouldn’t have thought to ever make, but all the ingredients are a staple at my home! Will give it a go.”

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It’s been a difficult start to the year for Maggie as her daughter Saskia passed away suddenly in February, aged just 46.

The celebrity chef put out a statement, along with husband Colin, at the time in which she revealed that her “beautiful and extraordinary” daughter had died suddenly. Maggie announced the news on social media as she thanked her followers for the support she has received, as well as asking for space as the family comes to terms with what has happened.

“It is with broken hearts we need to let you all know that our beautiful, extraordinary daughter Saskia died unexpectedly yet peacefully in her sleep on Friday night,” she wrote on Instagram.

“We ask for time/space as we grapple to come to terms with our loss and appreciate all the support we have been given. Maggie, Colin and family.”