Hands on Experience for Students at Cookery Masterclass

Thirteen pupils, the first group to study GSCE Food Preparation and Nutrition at Sheffield Girls’ Senior School, rolled up their sleeves to join in a day of masterclasses hosted at the showroom of bespoke kitchen company my father’s heart.

A host of professionals joined us to demonstrate and teach the students how to prepare the food, and to cook simple but incredibly effective dishes, using freshly prepared and cooked ingredients. A favourite was celeriac and apple, garnished with pea shoots, which was delicious!

Waitrose butcher and fishmonger John Barker showed the students how to fillet and bone mackerel, dover sole and chicken; Lizzie Schofield of BakesbyButter led a baking workshop; and Leslie Buddington, head chef at award-winning Sheffield restaurant Brocco on the Park gave an insight into workings of a professional kitchen.

Isobel Edwards in Year 10 commented: ‘I have developed skills which I can use for the rest of my life, and best of all I can cook so many wonderful dishes!’

The girls thoroughly enjoyed the day, and were amazed at how confident they felt in preparing the food: ‘It was amazing to learn from all the professionals. It felt like we were in Masterchef!’ they said.