Nurturing a passion for cooking in Knowle West

Freddy Harvey proudly takes a photo of his freshly baked quiche before taking a knife to cut it into slices for lunch.

It is just the latest culinary triumph for the 16-year-old, who is fast developing both a passion for cooking and the skills to succeed in a professional kitchen.

“I just really like cooking – there’s something about it I really enjoy,” says Freddy (main photo), one of the latest cohort to participate in the How To Be A Chef course run by Square Food Foundation, with support from Bristol24/7.

Aimed at young people who are not in education, employment or training, the intensive course covers cooking skills but also provides an insight into opportunities across the hospitality sector – from farms to spice factories.

For Freddy, who lives in Ashton Vale, it was an opportunity to try something new and develop skills after he finished school – it has also been a place to build his confidence as he admits to feeling nervous about going into a new workplace.

He tells Bristol24/7 that he’d like the prospect of cooking as a career and, in the meantime, his family is reaping the rewards of his culinary skills at home.

Oleksandra Skotar says she’s learned a lot during her time with Square Food Foundation – photo: Ellie Pipe

It was an interest in cooking that also inspired Oleksandra Skotar to apply to join the course.

“I was thinking I don’t have any skills for this course, but I now know that I do know more, I was just afraid,” she tells Bristol24/7.

Growing up with her grandma in Ukraine, food played a big part in family life for the 22-year-old but she says that she had limited opportunities to learn to cook herself – until now.

“I have learned how to cook some really delicious dishes because we cook two or more dishes every day,” Oleksandra, who lives in Ashley Down, tells Bristol24/7.

“My favourite is sweet and sour chicken because I really like any meat and this one was really tasty.”

The chefs have made quiche for lunch and they clear and set the large table at the far end of the Square Food kitchen at The Park Centre in Knowle West as everyone piles over to eat together.

Charlotte Fife talks the chefs through how to make the perfect quiche – photo: Ellie Pipe

Charlotte Fife, head of community cookery at Square Food Foundation, says it’s been incredible to see the progress made by the latest cohort.

“I can really see skills being developed and real confidence growing in their attitudes towards giving things a go and trying new things – and their knife skills as well,” says Charlotte.

“It’s been really lovely to encourage and nurture those that might not be as confident or have access to as many opportunities. It’s been really nice to see enthusiasm, keenness and them getting stuck in and really showing a passion for it. It’s really nice that we can nurture that and perhaps encourage a future in the food industry as well.”

Richard George says he enjoys creating his own dishes – photo: Ellie Pipe

For Richard George, who lives in Hartcliffe, the course has been an opportunity to reignite a love of cooking.

“I’ve managed to keep my calm and concentrate, and I get on really well with them [the rest of the cohort],” says the 25-year-old.

“I enjoy creating my own dishes and working with other people.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiSzasmgu8B/

Main photo: Ellie Pipe

Read next:

• ‘Bristol is a city of huge disparities’ 
• Inside a Knowle West kitchen making a big difference
• Square Food Foundation marks ten year anniversary with major fundraising drive

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