Grow Ltd and James Ferguson – owner of outside catering business Cooked – have devised a cooking course split into two weeks, one being focused on savoury dishes and the other sweet.
The aim is for the crew to gain proficient culinary skills to be used in the planned cafe at the redeveloped Grow site, where the food will be grown, cooked and sold by the team.
‘The vision for our cafe is an inclusive workplace, where adults with learning disabilities can maximise their potential, be recognised for their skills, and be regarded positively and with respect,’ said Grow’s training and development manager Richard Portsmouth.
The crew have been making simple dishes such as sausage rolls and Victoria sponge cakes, learning skills such as chopping vegetables, and understanding quantities of ingredients needed.
Crew member Roger Lawrence said the session had been interesting and he was happy to gain some valuable experience.
‘I’ve enjoyed all of it and James is a very good teacher.’
The initiative is currently in a six-week taster period and after positive reactions from the Grow crew, it looks like cooking is set to stay on the agenda at the charity.
Mr Ferguson said he was delighted to play his part in such a beneficial scheme.
‘With the planned cafe at Grow it makes perfect sense to get some of the team who are interested in helping at the cafe trained up now,’ he said.
‘These skills will assist them not only their professional lives but their personal lives too. From the minute I heard about Grow’s plans I wanted to be involved, going forward the project could turn out some great chefs.’
Grow is a charity that helps adults with learning disabilities and difficulties develop self-confidence and life skills
It is aiming to return to its redeveloped site later in the Coutanchez in 2023.
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