In May 2002, Jennifer Clair founded Home Cooking New York after years of working in the culinary industry. Before launching her own boutique cooking school, she worked as a Recipe Editor for The Wall Street Journal and as a Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living (MSL), where she developed cookbooks and managed the Cooking & Entertaining department of marthastewart.com. Prior to MSL, 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 renowned cookbook author and food historian Joan Nathan.

Jennifer is also the author of the new cookbook, Gourmet Cooking on a Budget (Globe Pequot Press, 2010). 

John Scoff joined Home Cooking New York in 2006. After 15 years of restaurant work, culminating most recently as Executive Chef of a low country 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. 

Then 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.

Julie Negrin, M.S., joined Home Cooking New York in 2011. She is a certified nutritionist, cooking instructor, and author of Easy Meals to Cook with Kids. She has been teaching adults and children how to cook for fourteen years. Julie spent five years as the Director of Culinary Arts at the JCC in Manhattan where she developed recipes and curricula specifically for children. She currently works for HealthCorps, a not-for-profit organization which brings health education to at-risk high school students. Her talents for cooking with kids has landed her spots on Sesame Street, CBS Nightly News with Katie Couric, and the Today Show with Al Roker.

Rebecca Martinez joined Home Cooking New York in 2007. Graduating with Honors from The Institute of Culinary Education in 2002, she has spent all of her professional career teaching students of all ages and skill levels in both professional and recreational classes. In addition to teaching, she has worked as a sous chef in some of NYC’s best kitchens: Chanterelle, Eleven Madison Park, and The (Mercer) Kitchen. She is also consultant with Harlem Pearl Restaurant Group, which studies NYC food trends as it affects family eating habits. Her goal is to create more restaurant opportunities for low-income city residents who need better alternatives to cheap fast food.

Melanie Underwood joined Home Cooking New York in April 2004. She has been a Chef-Instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education since 1996, where she has taught both professional-level cooking 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.