About me

Hello, I'm Zoe Arnold-Bennett, and welcome to Zoe's Botanical Kitchen.

Creativity

Creativity, food and curiosity have been constant threads throughout my life, although I haven't always expressed them through cooking.

My first career was as a decorative paint finisher, creating murals, faux marble, wood graining and bespoke decorative finishes for both homes and businesses. Long before I ever baked a gluten-free cake, I was exploring colour, texture and composition, skills that continue to influence how I cook, bake and present food today.

In truth, my fascination with food began even earlier.

While studying for my degree, I wrote my dissertation on The Culture of Food in Art Through History, beginning with the Garden of Eden and ending with Peter Greenaway's film The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover. Looking back, perhaps that should have been a clue that food would always play an important role in my life.

Travel

Life then took me far beyond the UK.

I spent seven years living and working in Japan and South Korea, experiences that profoundly shaped the way I think about food. During that time, and through subsequent travels across Asia, South America and South Africa, I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into people's homes and kitchens, where I learned far more than any cookbook could ever teach me.

Some of my happiest memories are sharing, learning and teaching recipes with neighbours who became friends. Discovering unfamiliar ingredients, and exchanging cultures through generosity and belonging.

Those experiences continue to inspire me.

Nowadays

Today, many people know me through Shed One Distillery in Cumbria, which my husband Andy and I founded. What began in a seven-foot-square garden shed has grown into our larger distillery in Ulverston, where we host experiences, including our popular Afternoon G&Tea.

Alongside the distillery, I developed a passion for creating gluten-free recipes that are every bit as delicious and indulgent as their traditional counterparts. Years of experimentation, research and recipe development have resulted in hundreds of happy guests and a comment I never tire of hearing:

"I can't believe that's gluten free."

But Zoe's Botanical Kitchen is about much more than gluten-free baking.

It's about seasonal ingredients, botanical flavours, foraging, creativity and building confidence in the kitchen. Inspiration might come from a countryside walk, a local producer, an old cookbook discovered in a charity shop or a yellow sticker in the supermarket.

I firmly believe that recipes should inspire rather than restrict. Cooking should be enjoyable, adaptable and full of curiosity.

You'll find recipes, tutorials, seasonal inspiration, foraging ideas and practical kitchen guidance here, but above all, I hope you'll find a welcoming community where we can learn from one another, share ideas and celebrate good food together.

Whether you're gluten free, inspired by botanical flavours, interested in foraging or simply looking for fresh inspiration in the kitchen, you're very welcome here.

Put the kettle on, gather a few good ingredients and let's make something delicious.