Social Impact / young chefs
‘I would never have imagined I could cook for so many people’
Over the next month Bristol24/7 will be sharing a closer look at what the young chefs have been up to since the Autumn Feast last November as we gear up for the Summer Feast in partnership with Square Food Foundation and Bristol Food Connections in June.
First up is Jack Wilton (20) who first attended Square Food Foundation as a student on ‘Cooking Connections’ – a community cookery class for adults with learning disabilities. He found out about the course through West of England Works, a programme which aims to help unemployed and economically inactive people find employment.
Jack was encouraged by Square Food Foundation to take part in the young chefs programme and Autumn Feast. Six months later, Jack is a volunteer Catering Assistant for the Cooking Connections course.
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Jack says, “I would never have imagined I could cook for so many people. The Autumn Feast was scary and intense but I really enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed learning new cooking techniques and I really enjoy the food. Before I came to Square Food Foundation I would struggle to meet new people. Now I’m sharing the skills I’ve learned and made new friends. I can approach people I don’t know and help them with their cookery. I really appreciate the diversity amongst the people I get to work with. It’s a really safe place to come.
Jack Wilton (20) took part in the young chefs programme culminating in the Autumn Feast
“I’ve never been a catering assistant before and this opportunity has really increased my confidence. Square Food Foundation is amazing, you learn so much and get to try different foods. I used to cook at home for my family but now I want to work towards being a chef and working with food.”
Look out for more online content sharing a closer look at what the other young chefs have been up to.
How can you get involved?
Purchase a ticket for the Summer Feast and invest in the next generation of chefs. All profit will be invested into the second phase of Bristol24/7 and Square Food Foundations young chefs programme. This is a 12-week accredited course starting in September 2018, targetting 16-25-year-olds.
Tickets for the Summer Feast are available via Bristol Food Connections. A taste for what’s to come…
If you’re interested in getting involved in the second phase of the programme which begins in September 2018, please get in touch with caragh@bristol247.com.
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