Olena Williams, originally from Russia, will be running a cooking class once a month to unite people with food.

A mystery cooking class still has space available for those who are "meat-eors."

Russian woman Olena Williams has been cooking since she was six and now she's sharing her cultural kitchen with others in a series of classes offered in random settings.

On Saturday, she will set up her portable kitchen in New Plymouth's star-gazing centre.

Robert Charles/FAIRFAX NZ 270516 News photo. ROBERT CHARLES/Fairfax NZ. Russian woman Olena Williams, who now lives in Taranaki, will be putting on Russian cooking classes for whoever is interested.

"I'm cooking meat-stuffed capsicums at the observatory. Not next to the telescope, of course."

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Williams said she decided to start these classes in order to help small businesses and the community as a whole.

"I was surprised to find out how many people didn't even know New Plymouth had an observatory.

"And they just got a new telescope that they're very proud of. So, I called them and said, 'I want to cook there'."

The classes will teach popular Russian cuisine, like borsch, as well as fusion dishes.

Williams has limited the class to ten people to keep it intimate, but there is still room for Saturday's class.

"I want it to remain a personal experience. In a small group, you meet kind people," she said.

Williams, who works as an interpreter by day, said she has always loved to cook.

"In my culture, women don't survive if they can't cook. It's about being self-sufficient.

"My grandmother was a chef in Siberia and she always made these big servings of food.

"It was a way to be hospitable and I guess I got that from her."

She said cooking was important for family and a way to bond with others.

"Food is about intentions. When I cook, I think about the people I'm cooking for.

"My eight-year-old son, Aiden, will point out something in a book and I'll make it.

"Carey, my husband, is diabetic, so I make sure there's no sugar. Obstacles create opportunity."

Williams wants to give others the opportunity to cook healthy food and meet like-minded people.

"Angry people are hungry people and when you bring food, they smile."