Our community classes are coming along nicely!

Earlier this year, COOK! with the Vegetarian Society received National Lottery funding to deliver essential life skills cooking sessions to two community organisations.

Over the course of this year, as part of the programme, we will deliver six two-hour sessions for three groups, helping them to cook low-cost, nutritious meals for themselves and their families.

Each session focuses on teaching cooking and preparation skills, meal planning, and budget control. The last session will see the program culminate with a showcase event, giving attendees the chance to cook for invited guests.

The sessions we are running at the moment are in partnership with the south Manchester housing association Southway Housing Trust. The sessions, covering a cohort of 18 people, are taking place at Westcroft Community Centre in Burnage and are being delivered by COOK! tutor Maz Linford-Platt.

Dishes we’ve been teaching attendees at the sessions have included delicious Shakshuka, Garlicky Mushrooms and Spinach, and protein-packed burritos!

Linda Duffy at Westcroft Community Centre has attended all the sessions and has been great at getting lots of people interested in attending them – many of whom had never been to Westcroft before. Our catering assistant Emma has also been amazing in providing help.

We’re very much enjoying helping local people pick up new skills and we look forward to meeting more groups soon!

Maz with a pot of food on the go!

Sam Linford-Platt, Head of COOK!, casting a caring eye over class attendees.

The final result: Shakshuka and Garlicky Mushrooms and Spinach on a plate!