BBC Good Food

• James

  29 January, 12:24PM

  James

  1 hour a week goes nowhere - once you have spent 10 minutes at the start settling down, then 10 minutes before the end packing up, so that's 40 minutes, then take off the time spent chatting.... Some schools seem to have the right idea though. I turned up to cook for a family a few weeks ago, and found I had a 12 year old assistant - they have a cooking club outside school hours, and he couldn't have been more interested, and we talked about flavours, techniques, sourcing ingredients, presentation - so a cooking club is something else other schools could try. Our local school is fundraising at the moment for cooking equipment with links through the business park that is opposite the school. What about a supper club kind of event - most schools have quiz nights, fashion shows, even poetry readings, so why not a supper club event where they pay for the food that the school students have made? That would pay for the food, and the remainder can be used to supply ingredients for further

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• Lilletia

  30 January, 8:13AM

  Lilletia

  In my secondary school (six years ago), cooking was compulsary, however, I believe I'm only really learning to cook now, when I'm cooking my own meals. It's only when a person gets really passionate about cooking a tasty meal to eat that they really look at their cooking and improving it. In school, children too often cook because they have to, without regard for anything else.

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• Heather

  1 February, 6:14PM

  Heather

  I think you were lucky if "cooking" was compulsory in your school. In the vast majority, the preparation of food has been a small amount of food technology lasting no more than a few weeks for each year for Years 7-9.. Food technology does very little to kindle an enjoyment for food, and certainly doesn't prepare our youth with the skills needed to prepare the basic of meals. When the National Curriculum was first introduced, and with it Food Technology, I began to run an afterschool cookery club, where the students could cook anything they wished (within reason). It was always well attended and I would like to think that I was doing my bit towards fostering an interest in real food which could be taken home and enjoyed by the whole family. I think we need to move back to the more traditional Home Economics in the curriculum and would welcome compulsory lessons - as long as they were made enjoyable.

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• elevenses

  3 February, 1:57PM

  elevenses

  I loved the cookery lessons that I had at school. I would like to say that it was in the early 80s, but we had 3 hours a week. 1 hour to learn about the skills needed and then 2 hours on a diffrerent day to cook something. this is the way it should be children need to learn these skills as well as keeping a house. All important things

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• Carole Bone

  3 February, 4:23PM

  Carole Bone

  When I started at secondary school way back in 1955 the first things we learnt was how to do the laundry! fro there we went on to make custard & salad cream. But back i those days when education meant just that, we had a whole afternoon in cookery and I loved it. we even learnt how to make bread. Why did they take cookery off the curriculum,did they think that the children would teach themselves how to shop, budget and cook?? Carole Bone

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• Mandymcc

  3 February, 8:38PM

  Mandymcc

  I was taught cookery in the 1950s and 60s. The teacher was very exacting as to how everything was layed out, hygiene, safety and washing up afterwards. We were taught a wide variety of recipes and techniques in a two hour session that meant there was time to do more than a quick cook meal. Usually we took the result home but occasionally, as with the mixed grill, ate it at school. I still use the skills and recipes.

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• Churchpolly

  3 February, 9:12PM

  Churchpolly

  I think its important to realise that it is not just the school's responsibility to teach basic cooking skills - surely this is a role for parents too? I taught all three of my kids how to cook from a very early age, we had such alot of fun and laughter as well as delicious home made food to eat. None of them has a weight problem and all can now cook a very good meal from scratch using fresh, in season produce. Come on parents - get off those sofas and get in the kitchen with your kids - its so rewarding!

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• cutielou

  6 February, 10:22AM

  cutielou

  Like many of you I loved my cookery lessons at school in the late 70's. Although my mum had already taught me many skills including baking, I could make my own cakes by 11 years old, I still learnt invaluable skills and knowledge at school. My results often went home and others were eaten at school, I don't remember anyone not enjoying those lessons. I am totally passionate about cooking as is my brother too, bring back good old Home Economics in schools. I recently taught my 12 year old niece to make a Lemon Drizzle cake, she done it completely by herself with me just showing various techniques and giving explanations to the 'science' bits. She is soon to start Food Technology at school, she could not wait to show her teacher the remains of her cake, and I have to say it tasted fantastic.

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• shez

  7 February, 8:40PM

  shez

  I personally feel that the demise of home cooking has contributed to the obesity crisis that this country is now facing. If cooking was made compulsory then all children would at least know the basics of food prep and cooking rather than being dependant on fat and salt heavy ready meals. Home cooking is tasty and invariably much healthier as well as cheaper so bring back home economics!

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• Eve Nicholson

  16 February, 9:22PM

  Eve Nicholson

  I agree with Churchpolly (3rd Feb) - it surely cannot be just up to the schools to educate children how to cook. Parents must take some sort of responsibility and interest in what their children eat. Even if it's homemade pizzas or homemade burgers, it's something at least.

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• Scuby

  16 February, 10:48PM

  Scuby

  Compulsory cooking - hallelujah!!! with all the ignorance surrounding nutrition these days it's about time we started to teach the young the basics and what an excellent way for them to educate their parents! Haven't we all marvelled at some time at the amazing things our kids recall from lessons? With cookery programmes and chefs so very much in the media these days it's an ideal time to involve children of all ages and hopefully change eating habits for the future. Lets teach the next generation to eat healthily and enjoy the pleasures of producing good home cooked food.

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• tattookitten

  22 February, 4:42PM

  tattookitten

  I used to love cookery class in high school, it was especially funny when one chap made a cheesecake with garlic cheese! I even took this as a gcse I enjoyed this class so much! I think that kids miss out on a lot and deserve a chance to be creative with edible things. Some times learning at home isn't an option so why not do it at school?

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• yum

  6 March, 1:59PM

  yum

  I too, loved cookery class in secondry school. Like many people have said, it's very important for children to get a basic learning in cooking. It is especially important today that children know where the food comes from, how it's cooked and to teach children that they can make lovely meals from fresh ingrediants. We need to make sure that children know that there are other foods a part from chips and frozen meals and what better way to teach them by getting them involved with fresh food preparation!!

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• nevia987

  9 June, 9:40AM

  nevia987

  There are a variety of courses offered in cooking schools. Students learn to cook exotic cuisines with the help of instructor’s guidance. There are many <A HREF=http://www.culinaryschoolsprograms.com/>cooking schools</a> that provide gift certificate to students on attending every class. http://www.culinaryschoolsprograms.com/

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• nevia987

  9 June, 9:41AM

  nevia987

  There are a variety of courses offered in cooking schools. Students learn to cook exotic cuisines with the help of instructor’s guidance. There are many cooking schools that provide gift certificate to students on attending every class. http://www.culinaryschoolsprograms.com/

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• Rik H

  7 July, 2:57PM

  Rik H

  Great little idea for schools and parents alike. Seems that this item at http://www.ingredientsbox.com could be an ideal fund-raiser and save parents a small fortune to boot !!

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