Launch of School Chef Training Programme in Hackney

Children’s health in Hackney is getting a boost thanks to a new training programme which ensures school chefs are serving delicious, nutritious food to students.

The School Chef Educator programme, funded by Hackney Council and delivered through a partnership with the charity Chefs in Schools, has now gone live in Hackney, providing training to school chefs with the aim of improving child health and wellbeing.

Set amongst the beautiful productive gardens and kitchen of the Hackney School of Food, the session kicked off this week for the first group of 15 school chefs and caterers.

The day was full of demonstrations and a cookalong using recipes tried and tested in school kitchens across the country, dishes included pea fritters, yoghurt courgette cake, kale pesto, Caribbean chicken curry and more. As well as being delicious, these recipes are designed to ensure children are receiving the nutrition they need.

Head of Training for Chefs in Schools, Laura Mumford, said: “We’re so thankful to Hackney Council for funding this training, and excited to be kicking off this new round in the borough where Chefs in Schools began. We can’t wait to see what the new participants achieve with the skills and tools they’ll gain on this course.

“Being a school chef is a challenging job, but we know there are tricks, tips and tools that school chefs can use to produce fantastic food for students. Our training programme results in happier students, satisfied staff and brings wide ranging benefits to the school.”‍

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Delivered by Chef Trainers, Sophie Gastman and Louis Davidson, the course will now consist of eight online sessions for the participants to complete.

Chef trainer Louis said: “The aim was to cook a variety of recipes that relate to core learning objectives of the programme. The recipes reduce food waste, maximise vegetable intake and produce well balanced meals. Everything is designed to be delivered within school budgets.”‍

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Reflecting on the action packed day, Shernnett Mecaley, participant and Head Chef of Kingsmead Primary in Hackney, said: “It’s been really interesting, a lot of recipe and menu ideas. Interacting with all the other chefs has just been amazing, there’s been a lot of information and input I can now take back to the school and input into the recipes there.”‍

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Registration is now open for the next training course in the borough. Any school caterer or school in Hackney can send their kitchen staff along; places are fully funded but availability is limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.

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To sign up for the training head to https://chefsinschools.org.uk/sign-up-now.  

Schools do not need to contribute to the cost but must enable staff to attend one hour session a week for eight weeks and one in person masterclass. The course is suitable for all school kitchen staff and set ups - catered in house or outsourced.

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Chefs in schools began life in Hackney in 2018, with the aim of transforming child health and wellbeing through the power of great school food. To find out more about the charity visit: https://chefsinschools.org.uk/.