Gateshead's
Jamie Oliver Cookery Course
A free cooking and food education course for 14-18 year olds*
(*or up to 25 for anyone with SEND)
This is a brand new version of the Jamie Oliver Ministry of Food Cookery Course developed for 14-18 year olds. This FREE 8-week cookery course shares Jamie's recipes, skills and techniques that build knowledge and confidence to cook and eat in a way that benefits physical health, mood and wellbeing.
(PLUS for those who are eligible there is an opportunity to get a few extra feebies in return for filling out a few extra evaluation surveys as part of our research into how cooking skills and improved diet improves mood. Read on for more info and eligibility criteria.)
The course is a pilot programme funded by Gateshead Council and delivered by Nourish Food School. It is also part of a study with The Foundation for Young People’s Mental Health and evaluated by University of Reading.
Can't see a course near you?
Please fill out this super quick form to let us know where and when you want a course to happen!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR THE COURSE!
ABOUT THE COURSE
This is an 8-session cookery course taking you through different themes, skills and learning from one week to the next.
How it works
- Each class lasts 1.5 hours
- Everyone has their own workstation and follows step-by-step instructions to cook up to 2 recipes per week.
- Basic nutrition is integrated into every class - showing you how to make good food choices that benefit both physical and mental health
At the end of each class:
- Take home everything you have cooked
- Take home recipe cards to add to your course folder.
Where it takes place
Nourish Food School is a mobile cookery school meaning these courses will 'pop-up' in community spaces rather than being taught from a fancy kitchen.
We bring all the equipment and set up requirements to places like community centres, halls, schools and more.
We hope this means the course can be accessed easily by bringing the course to you and your community
Who can join
We are looking for people who want to learn how to cook and eat in a way that is good for both physical and mental health.
To join the programme you should be:
- a resident of Gatesehad
- aged between 14-18 years old (or up to 25 if SEND)
For anyone who also meets some eligibilty criteria you will be invited to take part in the research and evaluation running alongside the course. This includes receiving some freebies to help you put your learning into practice at home in return for completing a few extra surveys that will evaluate the impact of the course on wellbeing.
FAQ's
Do I need to attend all 8 classes?
You should have the intention of joining all 8 classes however we understan that sometimes things come up that mean you might miss a week. Please just make sure to let us know.
Can I come if I have allergies or intolerances?
Yes, we will do all we can to adapt recipes to meet your needs. If you have any serious or multiple allergies that are particularly sensitive then please consider whether this course will be suitable as we will prepare foods of all types in the same prep kitchen.
Can I bring someone else?
Absolutely, if you have a friend, family member or parent that you want to come along with then this is great! The more the merrier when it comes to picking up new foodie skills. Just let us know so that we can manage the size of the group and capacity of the room.
Learn more about why this programme is being run!
Everyone deserves to be happy, healthy and have the tools, knowledge and confidence to make really great choices for themselves - especially when it comes to what we eat! The food we eat can have a big impact on our mood and our resilience in tackling mental health concerns such as depression. Studies have shown that a following a Mediterranean Diet can reduce and sometimes remove altogether the symptoms of depression. How cooking courses can make a difference Many people may not feel they have the skills or confidence to cook from scratch or understand what a mentally healthful diet looks like. We believe that an increase in cooking skills paired with nutrition education can make all the difference - boosting confidence and motivation to make small changes gradually to food behaviours. We want young people to be able to make informed choices that allows them to thrive and confidently reach towards their goals where the stresses and strains of mental health don't hold them back.
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