Cook School Information

Cook School is a nationwide, innovative and exciting project offering accessible, achievable and affordable cookery lessons to children. Cook School is about building a community of students from 5 to 21 inspiring them to help each other to become competent cooks. Nothing is as important as our children’s health. And in an age of rising obesity, giving them the skills and knowledge to be able to cook healthy, balanced food is a positive step towards their healthy future. It is a crucial first step towards tackling childhood obesity. The course, written by Amanda Grant, one of the country’s leading food educators, teaches children a number of life skills, introduced at the right time to suit the child’s age and developmental stage. The children will, over the course, become equipped with the building blocks that will enable them to cook a number of healthy, well balanced meals independently in the kitchen. The Cook School recipes are seasonal, affordable, inspirational and international. The recipes will include vegan, vegetarian, fish and meat options in line with the Eatwell Guide. The recipes will be naturally low in sugar and only use salt when needed for scientific reasons e.g. bread making. The recipes will be written for each school term and will also include some fun recipes for key events e.g. Christmas, Easter, bank holiday baking etc. Passionate home cooks and teachers from the local community will teach the course. Recipe cards are provided for the children to take home to encourage the children to repeat cook with their families, carers and friends. This is empowering for the children and will also give children positive associations around eating together. In areas where Cook School is taught in schools, local communities will be encouraged to come together at school, at Cook School events and in our online communities. Amanda Grant, the author of Cook School, studied Home Economics at O’ and A’ level and Food Science & Nutrition at University. During her career she has written ten cookery books, including the bestselling and award-winning* Kids in the Kitchen (formerly called Cook School), winner of the best family cookbook, Junior magazine. Amanda launched and edited a food magazine for the Co-op, has written features on food, nutrition and teaching children to cook for publications as diverse as Cosmopolitan, BBC Good Food and The Guardian. Amanda was on the committee for the first dedicated Children's Food Festival, held in Oxford, and has travelled the country teaching children about good food. “Teaching the next generation to cook is my passion, and I'm so excited about the challenge ahead.”