Features / how to be a chef
Young chefs cooking up a storm
Over the last 12 weeks, six young people have been cooking up a storm at The Park Centre in Knowle West.
They’ve been taking part in the How To Be A Chef programme, run by the Square Food Foundation in partnership with Bristol24/7.
They’re leaving the course ready for the workplace, with a BTEC Level 2 qualification and a Level 2 Food & Hygiene certificate.
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Josh Long, 19, travels all the way from Bath to take part in How To Be A Chef, which he says is “calming”.
He said: “I’ve learnt all sorts – everything in cooking. My dream is to be a chef in the navy.”
Josh Long is one of six young people learning how to be a chef in the Square Food kitchen. Photo by Charlie Watts
Young people who have taken part in the programme in the past have gone on to work in professional kitchens.
Next to Josh is Steven Elvins, 21, from Ashley Down, who admits the course has been “difficult” at times.
He added: “Home cooking is quite an important skill to have. If you can’t home cook then you probably won’t be able to live by yourself.”
Steven Elvins says the How To Be A Chef course has taught him the importance of home cooking. Photo by Charlie Watts
Across the 12 weeks, the young chefs have been learning how to make a range of dishes, including hollandaise sauce. Today, they’re making a Morrocan lamb tagine.
For Maisie Dawson, 17, from Bower Ashton, her favourite dish to cook on the course has been a cheesecake.
She said: “It’s good because you learn how to cook from scratch. I think cooking would be a fun career path.”
Maisie Dawson is hoping to pursue a career in cooking after completing the course. Photo by Charlie Watts
This How To Be A Chef course was the first to take place in person since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Hugo Gilmartin says it has been “exhilarating”, and his highlights have been making pastry and shortbread.
“The teachers are really nice. They’re encouraging and helpful if you need help with cooking,” said the 18-year-old from Cliftonwood.
Hugo Gilmartin has found the course “exhilarating”. Photo by Charlie Watts
Cory, 19, volunteered at Square Food for two years before deciding to take part in How To Be A Chef.
He said: “Cooking has always been a thing where I can settle down and chill out – it gives me time to think.”
He’s been cooking since he was three-years-old and will go back to volunteering after completing the course.
Cookery tutor Caroline Parsons says this cohort of young chefs have been “brilliant”. Photo by Charlie Watts
Cookery tutor Caroline Parsons keeps watch over the Square Food kitchen, and said that this cohort of young chefs have been “brilliant”.
“They’ve all come on a journey, and I can definitely see improvement with all of them. They’re all much more proactive and confident – in terms of cooking and social skills.”
The next How To Be A Chef course is due to start in the autumn of 2021: www.squarefoodfoundation.co.uk/how-to-be-a-chef.
Main photo by Charlie Watts
Charlie Watts is reporting on Knowle West as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a pilot project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media
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