top of page
Children's Cooking Class

Cooking School

No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing

At Stable Futures, food and cooking are much more than life skills—they are powerful tools for building confidence, promoting healthy lifestyles, and encouraging connection. Our learners have access to diverse cooking experiences across both sites, from our commercial-style kitchen at the farm to open-fire “wild cooking” sessions at The Paddock.

Why Cooking Matters

Cooking plays a vital role in our holistic approach to education and wellbeing. It allows learners to:​

​

  • Develop essential independent living skills

  • Understand nutrition and healthy eating habits

  • Build confidence and creativity through hands-on learning

  • Strengthen social skills and teamwork by cooking and sharing meals

  • Explore career pathways in hospitality and food industries

  • Improve financial awareness through budgeting and meal planning

  • Engage in mindful, sensory experiences that promote emotional regulation

Our Approach

The cooking curriculum is designed to inspire learners to plan and prepare nutritious, cost-effective, and delicious food—both independently and in groups. Our indoor and outdoor cooking settings provide unique and stimulating environments where safety, inclusion, and engagement are at the forefront.

​

Learners explore topics such as:

​

  • Food hygiene and safety

  • Nutritional balance and dietary needs

  • Food provenance and sustainability

  • Cultural and world cuisines

  • Seasonal and foraged ingredients

  • Planning meals from plant to plate


We also use cooking as a platform to:

​

  • Promote resilience and problem-solving

  • Encourage creativity through culinary expression

  • Celebrate achievement and build pride through shared meals and pop-up cafés

  • Provide real-world learning through visits to food-related industries

Cooking at The Paddock: Wild Cooking

In our forest setting, learners experience the joy of cooking over open fires, learning about bushcraft, food safety in the wild, and how to use natural resources responsibly. These sessions promote teamwork, resourcefulness, and a deepened connection with nature.

Accreditation

Learners can gain recognised qualifications through:
 

  • AQA Unit Awards in food preparation, hygiene, and nutrition


These units provide structure, progression, and evidence of learning for EHCPs and referral outcomes.

bottom of page