Better Business / Member news
‘It’s given me a massive amount of confidence and I’m really happy now’
How To Be A Chef is Square Food Foundation’s flagship cookery course for individuals aged 16-25. The course is free to attend and offers 12 weeks of interactive, fun, and confidence-boosting cooking. It is specifically designed to support young people who are not currently engaged in full-time work or education.
Meet Sarah, a recent graduate of the programme who shares her experience.
How did Sarah find passion and a career by joining How To Be A Chef?
How To Be A Chef is a free 12-week course where young people, aged 16-25, can qualify for a BTEC and develop a valuable range of cooking and life skills.
“I never thought it would be a career; to get a career and a passion out of it is amazing,” said Sarah, a recent graduate of How To Be A Chef programme
The course is designed for young people who are not in education, full-time employment, or training. It focuses on employability and life skills, as well as cooking.
Why did Sarah need to join the course?
Sarah, 20, wasn’t sure what she wanted to do long term. She reflects: “I was struggling a bit before the course. I had no idea what I wanted to do; I was really down. It’s hard not knowing what you want to do.”
How To Be A Chef brought fun and focus
Sarah’s mum was keen to support her and found the course. Sarah explains: “I was nervous to come for the interview, but when I opened the door and saw how amazing this place is, I felt instantly relaxed. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly, and there’s an amazing garden.”
Sarah joined the course in February 2024: “It was the best. Charlotte, the lead cookery teacher, was amazing. The course was the highlight of my week.”
Upskilled and empowered
Sarah developed skills for professional kitchens, as well as skills she can share with her family and friends: “I’ve taken a lot home, and my family loves it. They always say we’ve got a chef in the family now.”
Eating meals together around the table is something that happens in the kitchen every day at Square Food, so it’s wonderful when students take this approach home with them.
How To Be A Chef has been life-changing for Sarah. She explains: “I’m a changed person from a year ago. I wouldn’t have been able to sit in front of the camera and do an interview like this. It’s given me a massive amount of confidence and I’m really happy now.”
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A Future in food
Sarah now works as chef and event coordinator for Square Food Catering. Stu, head chef at SFC, reflects: “Her communication skills, calm manner, hard-working and super-organised approach are an asset to the catering team. I’m excited for her future with us.”
Sarah is also excited about her future with the catering team and hopes to be able to develop her skills and role within it.
“I thought it would be a good way to get some cooking skills and have a bit of fun. I never thought it would be a career; to get a career and a passion out of it is amazing.”
Applications for the next round of How To Be A Chef – which starts on April 23rd – are now open.
For more information, visit www.squarefoodfoundation.co.uk/how-to-be-a-chef
All photos: Square Food Foundation
Square Food Foundadtion are member of the Bristol24/7 Better Business network, an initiative to help businesses thrive while creating a positive impact on Bristol and the people who live here. As part of their membership, businesses can publish member news stories like this. For more information, visit my.bristol247.com/better-business
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