Our goal is to become a leading international company dedicated to fostering healthy eating habits in children, by building culinary skills from a young age. Through prioritizing the well-being of the whole family, we strive to become the revolutionary platform of choice for parents, offering an array of services in both digital and in-person formats. At the heart of our innovations lies a unique blend of scientific knowledge, systematic methods and creative approaches in nutrition, through which we aspire to see more families leading happy and fulfilling lives by choosing their health first.
Mission
Through the joy of cooking, we inspire kids ages 2 to 11 y.o. to enjoy nutritious, eco-friendly, and balanced meals they prepare themselves. Our food edutainment programs foster healthy eating habits at a young age through a full-sensorial cooking experience. Through nutrition and culinary knowledge, we empower the young generation with vital life skills, building not only their autonomy but also their tendency to make healthy & nutritious food choices with confidence.
Vision
Our story
Meet Amelia, the beautiful little girl who became her mother’s muse, inspiring our company Cooking Lama as well as the cookbook “Look! I’m Cooking: 40 Simple and Healthy Recipes for Kids”. Amelia will share with you the story of how Cooking Lama came to life.
Chapter 1: The Desire and Idea
When Amelia was just a little baby, our founder Natalia Samoilova became concerned with how to feed her daughter well and keep her family healthy. Natalia observed exhausted parents struggling to feed their little ones and understood that sadly in today’s world, our busy lifestyles and uneducated choices tend to prioritize convenience over nutrition.
Chapter 1: The Desire and Idea
When Amelia was just a little baby, our founder Natalia Samoilova became concerned with how to feed her daughter well and keep her family healthy. Natalia observed exhausted parents struggling to feed their little ones and understood that sadly in today’s world, our busy lifestyles and uneducated choices tend to prioritize convenience over nutrition.
Community and cooperation
Connection to nature
Perseverance and endurance
Gentleness and balance
Guidance and teaching
Protection
Who is Lama?
Meet LAMA, the Llama. Your child’s wise friend and chef in the world of cooking. But why a llama? Natalia’s goal was to create a character that children could trust—one that would foster a positive, friendly atmosphere and inspire them to try new things.
The llama animal is culturally known for its symbolic meaning of guidance, teaching, connection to nature, gentleness and balance. The choice of the llama reflects a wise guide, drawing kids into the learning process through dialogue and encouragement. Cooking Lama helps children understand their changing preferences and promotes self-discovery. Cooking Lama is ready to lead the next generation on an exciting journey toward wellness and culinary adventure.
The llama animal is culturally known for its symbolic meaning of guidance, teaching, connection to nature, gentleness and balance. The choice of the llama reflects a wise guide, drawing kids into the learning process through dialogue and encouragement. Cooking Lama helps children understand their changing preferences and promotes self-discovery. Cooking Lama is ready to lead the next generation on an exciting journey toward wellness and culinary adventure.
Our methodology
At Cooking Lama, our methodology is at the heart of our innovation. We revolutionize the nutrition space by integrating three foundational components:
Science
of nutrition
of nutrition
Child
development
development
Art
of Cooking
of Cooking
2
3
1
Unlike typical cooking classes, we approach food education from a holistic lens, viewing each child as a well-rounded human-being—nurturing their mind, body and soul through development across emotional, cognitive, and physical dimensions.
Our integrative methodology prioritizes nutritional knowledge over nutritional facts. Rather than memorizing nutritional data, we help children develop practical skills regarding food that benefit their day to day.
We believe this multi-layered methodology adds depth to children’s learning and helps build a positive relationship with food and healthy eating habits lasting a lifetime.
Our integrative methodology prioritizes nutritional knowledge over nutritional facts. Rather than memorizing nutritional data, we help children develop practical skills regarding food that benefit their day to day.
We believe this multi-layered methodology adds depth to children’s learning and helps build a positive relationship with food and healthy eating habits lasting a lifetime.
Integrative Approach
Why cooking Lama?
Cooking Lama is more than just a cooking class. Our methodology blends the Science of Nutrition, Child Development, and the Art of Cooking. This creates a holistic approach to food education that fosters practical life skills, critical thinking, and thus lifelong healthy eating habits in children.
Meet the team
Founder & CEO
UAE/Russia
UAE/Russia
Natalia Samoilova
Since 2005, Natalia has been an entrepreneur and business consultant, working on various projects focused on healthy lifestyles, education, and children’s leisure activities. Her passion for wellness and education has driven her to create initiatives that nurture both physical and mental well-being in children and families.
Natalia encourages families to adopt healthier lifestyles through practical guidance and sustainable habit-building. She is a certified Nutrition Consultant and a proud member of the Association of Health and Nutrition Coaches. Natalia has also shared her expertise as a guest expert at nutrition courses and events, helping to inspire and educate others on the importance of balanced living.
Natalia’s educational background includes degrees from Saint Petersburg State University (School of Management), Stanford University (Human Biology), The Health Sciences Academy and The International Institute of Integrative Nutrition, where she earned a top-tier certification in nutrition consultancy.
Natalia is the founder and CEO of Cooking Lama; an international initiative promoting healthy eating habits in children aged 2-11 through edutainment (a combination of education and entertainment) and hands-on nutrition and cooking classes. In collaboration with nutritionists, dietitians, paediatricians, methodologists, and child development experts, Natalia is the architect behind Cooking Lama’s food edutainment programs, designed to make nutrition and healthy eating habits both engaging and accessible for young learners.
Natalia is also the author of the book Look! I'm Cooking: 40 Simple and Healthy Recipes for Kids, which has been published in two languages; English and Russian and is now available in over 40 countries. The book aims to empower children to take an active role in their own nutrition by teaching them easy, nutritious recipes they can prepare on their own.
Natalia has previously founded livethelife.pro, where she encouraged families to adopt healthier lifestyles through practical guidance and sustainable habit-building. She is a certified Nutrition Consultant and a proud member of the Association of Health and Nutrition Coaches. Natalia has also shared her expertise as a guest expert at nutrition courses and events, helping to inspire and educate others on the importance of balanced living.
Since 2005, Natalia has been an entrepreneur, working on various projects focused on healthy lifestyles, education, and children’s leisure activities. Her passion for wellness and education has driven her to create initiatives that nurture both physical and mental well-being in children and families.
Natalia’s educational background includes degrees from Saint Petersburg State University (School of Management), Stanford University (Human Biology), The Health Sciences Academy and The International Institute of Integrative Nutrition, where she earned a top-tier certification in nutrition consultancy.
- Loves cooking since she was 5 years old. Cooking experience is 30+ years.
- The first big purchase was a laptop earned by picking strawberries in Finland.
- The first business project was at 19, opening a fitness studio for students of St. Petersburg University.
- Adores nature and finds inspiration there.
- Favourite motto: Happiness doesn’t lie behind the mountains. It is in the mountains.
Fun Facts:
Co-founder of Cooking Lama’s Dubai Branch
UAE/Saudi Arabia/Egypt
UAE/Saudi Arabia/Egypt
Dalia Manshi
Believing that travel and food are deeply connected, Dalia was inspired to organize culinary trips, such as tours to Bali, where she guides fellow food lovers through unforgettable culinary adventures.
In addition to her businesses, Dalia leads interactive cooking classes, teaching participants of all skill levels a variety of culinary techniques and recipes. Her classes emphasize hands-on learning and foster a fun, educational environment where students can enhance their cooking abilities and creativity.
Dalia’s artistic foundation influenced her work as a food stylist, guiding her approach to not only create delicious dishes, but also craft a visual masterpiece that engages all the senses.
Dalia holds a Diploma in Advanced Culinary Arts from the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) Dubai, and a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Cairo University. With a strong commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences and a keen entrepreneurial spirit, Dalia is dedicated to expanding her culinary services and continuously exceeding client expectations.
Dalia is passionate about exploring the world through flavors, she’s a chef, entrepreneur, and the owner of La Morita, a Mexican food concept that brings authentic tastes to life.
As the founder of About My Kitchen, a private business offering event organization and catering services, she combines her love for food with creative culinary experiences. Dalia has successfully managed numerous events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations. She excels at leading her teams to deliver seamless, memorable experiences to her clients.
Believing that travel and food are deeply connected, Dalia was inspired to organize culinary trips, such as tours to Bali, where she guides fellow food lovers through unforgettable culinary adventures.
In addition to her businesses, Dalia leads interactive cooking classes, teaching participants of all skill levels a variety of culinary techniques and recipes. Her classes emphasize hands-on learning and foster a fun, educational environment where students can enhance their cooking abilities and creativity.
Dalia’s artistic foundation influenced her work as a food stylist, guiding her approach to not only create delicious dishes, but also craft a visual masterpiece that engages all the senses.
Dalia holds a Diploma in Advanced Culinary Arts from the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) Dubai, and a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Cairo University. With a strong commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences and a keen entrepreneurial spirit, Dalia is dedicated to expanding her culinary services and continuously exceeding client expectations.
- I’ve had a passion for painting since childhood that led me to approach every dish as a canvas.
- My focus on color and texture in painting translated into my technique in food presentation.
- I’ve loved traveling since I was a child, and I’ve always wanted to be a flight attendant to explore the world.
- I believe that travel and food are deeply connected. Each experience shaped the way I approach both cooking and food styling.
- Favourite motto: Embrace the art of living fully; refining every dish, every adventure, and every moment with passion, wisdom, and an ever curious heart.
Fun Facts:
The heart of cooking Lama
We’re proud to have built a tribe of young cheerleaders. Our mini culinary guides play a big advisory role. They are at the heart of shaping our programs, helping us tailor every lesson perfectly to their age and needs. We celebrate each of you as true supporters of Cooking Lama.