About Poppy
Hello. My name is Poppy O’Toole (aka Poppy Cooks). I’m a 32-year-old Michelin trained chef from a small town called Bromsgrove (near Birmingham) with nearly 10 years experience working in professional kitchens and now the self-titled Potato Queen 
But how did I get here…
Let’s throw it back to March 2020. Covid hit and I almost instantly lost my job in London due to hospitality essentially grinding to a halt. Whilst job hunting, I moved back home with my mom, step-dad and siblings and genuinely thought lockdown would last for three weeks. After getting zero attention from my younger brother and sister due to this new platform called ‘TikTok’, I decided to give it a go and film myself making my favourite recipes. Initially to distract myself from being very unemployed, but also to finally get approval from my brother and sister. I basically wanted them to think I was cool again. Still working on it tbh but I did take my brother to a John Wick premier so I’m getting there.
After a bit of trial and error, it turned out that I LOVED creating content for social media and was kinda ok at it, plus it kept my mind busy between applying for what must have been 100s of jobs. Probs need to work on my CV writing skills looking back…
After a few months my first recipe went viral – the McDonalds hash brown. Thank you Maccys!! Big Mac girlie 4lyf. Overnight my following skyrocketed and that boost encouraged me (alongside some really lovely feedback from OG followers) to keep going and sharing what I know. And what I know REALLY well is potatoes. I kept gravitating toward spud based recipes which ultimately led me to create the ’25 days of Christmas potatoes’ series, cementing my status as potato queen. My first job was in a pub peeling potatoes so clearly it was always meant to be. Since then, I’ve never looked back. Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats a classic roastie. You can fight me on that. TOP TIER.
One year later I was lucky enough to publish my first book (Poppy Cooks: The food you need) and start to branch outside of social media and into the world of telly. I’ve had the odd TV spot (not to brag but I came 4th on Celebrity Weakest Link) and even embarrassed myself on live TV. Basically I said a rude word. I didn’t know. I definitely do now. Sorry again Matt Tebutt and BBC One. I also did a mis-teeq rap for Alesha Dixon, but that’s another story...
Anywayyyyy, fast forward to today and I’m releasing my sixth cookbook – Poppy Cooks: The Actually Delicious Batch Book in September 2026 (still not over this tbh) and hoping to do a Cat Deeley and crack America. Can you believe I still haven’t visited Dublin or Idaho yet?
If you’ve followed my journey so far, thank you!!! If you’re new to Poppy Cooks, I really really hope you like chaos and spuds – both feature A LOT.
Poppy x
P.s. Don’t forget to follow ya gal Poppy on social media for BTS action, delicious recipes, cooking tips, fails and pics of my dogs xx
Latest Recipes
One pot onion bhaji inspired hash
An Indian inspired mash-up of the classic bhaji and my absolute favourite ingredient: potatoes. What more could you want?...
Air fryer honey chilli chicken
Skip the takeaway and make this Air Fryer Honey Chilli Chicken instead. Crispy chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce....
Chilli jam glazed halloumi burger
This chilli jam glazed halloumi burger is the ultimate veggie BBQ recipe. Grilled halloumi, sticky chilli jam, beer onions and brioche buns create a burger even meat lovers will ad...
Spicy Pineapple Chutney Smash Burger
You'll never look at a BBQ the same way. This is pure burger heaven - fruity, spicy, sweet and MEATY. What more could you want?...
Satay chicken burger
Give your beef burgers a day off x Now, I love a cheeseburger as much as the next person, and I ALWAYS end a night out with a Big Mac, but I do think chicken burgers get overlooke...
Air fryer crispy feta bites with salsa
Golden, crispy air fryer feta bites coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs and served with your favourite dip....