In May 2002, Jennifer Clair founded Home Cooking after years of working in the culinary industry. In addition to teaching privately, she is also a Chef-Instructor at the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan and a recipe developer for The Wall Street Journal. For more than three years, she was a Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO), developing cookbooks and managing the food channel of marthastewart.com. Prior to MSLO, she worked in the cookbook division of William Morrow & Company and at Saveur magazine. She graduated from Peter Kump's New York Cooking School (since renamed The Institute of Culinary Education) in 1998 after receiving a full James Beard Foundation scholarship. Before moving to NYC, she was the catering manager of the Tabard Inn in Washington DC. She began her culinary career as the assistant to Joan Nathan, renowned cookbook author and food historian. Jennifer lives in Brooklyn.

John Scoff joined to Home Cooking in early 2006. After 15 years of restaurant work, culminating most recently as Executive Chef of a Lowcountry bistro in South Carolina, John continues to believe strongly in working with local, fresh ingredients. John’s apprenticeships under several highly-regarded, award-winning chefs gave him the culinary expertise and the sense of professionalism he needed to become a well-respected restaurant chef. But in 2004, John truly found his calling when he accepted a position as Executive Chef-Instructor at a recreational cooking school in historic downtown Charleston. As a teacher there, he discovered how much he enjoys sharing his passion for and knowledge of cuisine. 

John lives in Manhattan.  

Melanie Underwood joined Home Cooking in April 2004. She has been a Chef-Instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education since 1996, where she has taught both professional-level baking and pastry courses and in the recreational program.  She began her culinary tutelage at home in Virginia where, since the age of four, she has been canning, baking, butchering, and making wine. Professionally, she began her career working in the kitchens of the Four Seasons Hotel and the Plaza Hotel. In addition to teaching, Melanie is also a recipe developer, food stylist, and culinary consultant. She is currently studying for a Masters degree in Food Science & Nutrition. Melanie lives in Queens.  

Sarah Abrams joined Home Cooking Kids in August 2004. She works as a food stylist, sous chef, and children's cooking instructor. After graduating from the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in 2000, Sarah worked at Restaurant Atlas as a pastry chef and currently works as a sous chef at ICE for visiting chefs and specialty classes. Sarah loves working with children and has an extensive background teaching children of all ages the joys of cooking and baking. She also holds an MBA. Sarah lives in Manhattan.