Meet Chef, Baker & Culinary Educator Edna Cochez

MY NAME

Edna Cochez

MY HOME BASE

Panama City

MY BIZ

I created a Spanish digital cooking course called Conquista la Cocina, or “Conquer the Kitchen.” The course is based on Samin Nosrat’s book, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, and aims to teach people the basics of cooking. I met Samin in 2018 at a Cherry Bombe event and asked her permission to create a cooking course based on her book. The course is in its second edition now and I’ve launched an in-person version as well.

I also have a Patreon baking community and am a content creator. Another fun venture I started is Viajando con la Chef or “Traveling with a Chef,” which is a series of culinary-focused trips to France and Italy.

WHAT I'M KNOWN FOR

Teaching people how to cook, baking bread, cooking global food and veggies, and creating experiences around cooking.

WHAT MAKES ME UNIQUE

During the pandemic, I had to shut down my 17-year-old baking goods and empanadas business and pivoted to culinary education. I love teaching others how to cook and I have a lot of experience in marketing and copywriting to complement my skill set. I use high quality ingredients and I also bake artisan bread (which is very unusual in Panama). I’m on the board of the Bread Bakers Guild of America, a U.S.-based non-profit that is a go-to resource on the craft of making bread.

HOW I'M DOING THESE DAYS

I’m really excited to see my community and the people in my region participating in my program. I teach using whole ingredients and focus on creating balanced meals, and it has attracted students of all ages, mostly women. Through my work, I hope to combat the growing consumption of processed foods and the diabetes and high blood pressure health crisis in my country.

HOW THE BOMBESQUAD CAN SUPPORT ME

Spread the word about my cooking course! It’s in Spanish, but if you know someone who wants to learn how to cook and understand the basics of creating balanced, delicious meals, let them know. And you can follow me at @ednacochezchefbaker.

MY SECRET SKILL

Connecting people

MY MOTTO

Consistency trumps talent

MY MOST LOVED COOKBOOK

Tartine—the original and revised versions

ESSENTIAL KITCHEN TOOLS

My Wüsthof 8-inch chef knife. I take it with me whenever I have to cook outside my home.

PASTRY STAPLE

I love my homemade ghee and vanilla extracts.

SQUAD SHOUTOUT

Cynthia Samanian of The Culinary Boss