Five Week Introductory Course
or
Ten Week Basic Cookery Course
leading to a qualification
Making samosas: Chris stirs the potato curry for the filling.
Give a youth of today £20 and he will feed himself at McDonalds for a day.
If he knew some basic cookery skills, he could feed himself at home for a week.
This course appeals to young adults, particularly those about to leave, or who have just left, school. Their cash resources will be tight, and we can increase their self-confidence by improving their ability to be self-reliant.
We can turn this desire for self-reliance into a learning tool, which will empower them not just to survive without McDonalds and Pizza Hut, but also to enjoy a healthy and balanced diet.
We have developed a modular course that will engage young adults' attention and increase their self-esteem.
They will do this by working as a team. From five to ten participants is ideal to produce a series of recipes / meals; from making a shopping list, to buying the ingredients, to cooking hygienically, to eating a delicious meal.
During this process, they will use and develop the following key skills:
- Improving own learning and performance
- Working with others
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Application of numbers
The course can be run as a five week course, as an introduction to cookery life skills, or as a ten week course, which will be awarded a Certificate from the Open College Network in cookery skills. This is equivalent to D-G GCSE; a student with this qualification could go on to a catering college and do an NVQ Level 1.
Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene
from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
The key skills learnt during this course should ensure that the participant can prepare their food in a safe and hygienic environment, understanding the potential risks of cross-contamination and food poisoning.
This course appeals to anyone who is already in the catering industry, or interested in a career in catering or food preparation; this course will be a crucial entry point into that occupation. No previous experience, or culinary ability is required - just a willingness to learn.
The course is delivered as a one-off learning event, or can conclude with a brief revision session, followed by an exam. Alternatively the course can be covered over six weeks, with a basic cookery workshop to help reinforce the learning.
See Workshops for full details of availability and prices.
Photo © Alison Wilcock 2005