Cookery
From first recipe to Michelin star — discover cookery classes, baking clubs, and culinary programmes for young people across the UK.
Your Cookery Journey
Cooking schools, youth culinary competitions, and catering colleges provide pathways from kitchen novice to professional chef.
Little Cooks
Ages 4-7
No-heat cooking, simple assembly, and understanding basic ingredients through play.
Veggie Kids 3-Day Cookery Course — Course 2
The Veggie Kitchen
cookeryChristmas Camp
Smart Raspberry Cookery School
cookeryChristmas Camp
Smart Raspberry Cookery School
cookeryJunior Chef
Ages 7-11
Basic knife skills, simple recipes, school cooking clubs, and first baking projects.
Veggie Kids 3-Day Cookery Course — Course 2
The Veggie Kitchen
cookeryChristmas Camp
Smart Raspberry Cookery School
cookeryChristmas Camp
Smart Raspberry Cookery School
cookeryKitchen Skills
Ages 11-14
GCSE Food Preparation, more complex techniques, and regional young chef competitions.
Veggie Kids 3-Day Cookery Course — Course 2
The Veggie Kitchen
cookeryJunior Cake and Bake Academy
University of West London — Junior Chefs Academy
cookeryChristmas Camp
Smart Raspberry Cookery School
cookeryYoung Chefs
Ages 14-16
Roux Scholarship Youth, Springboard FutureChef, and first professional kitchen experience.
Veggie Kids 3-Day Cookery Course — Course 2
The Veggie Kitchen
cookeryJunior Cake and Bake Academy
University of West London — Junior Chefs Academy
cookeryYoung Chefs Academy — UCB Saturday Academy (Jan/Feb 2027)
University College Birmingham — Saturday Academies
cookeryCatering College
Ages 16-18
NVQ Catering, apprenticeship applications, and brigade roles in professional kitchens.
Junior Cake and Bake Academy
University of West London — Junior Chefs Academy
cookeryYoung Chefs Academy — UCB Saturday Academy (Jan/Feb 2027)
University College Birmingham — Saturday Academies
cookeryYoung Bakers Academy — UCB Saturday Academy (Jan/Feb 2027)
University College Birmingham — Saturday Academies
cookery
Where Cookery Can Take You
The skills developed transfer to many careers in and around the field.
Chef
Creating dishes in restaurants, hotels, and events
Range: £17k - £31.7k
Source: ONS ASHE 2024
Key Skills
Typical Route
Culinary school / Apprenticeship → Commis → Chef de Partie → Head Chef
Baker
Baking bread, pastries, and sweet goods
Range: £16.6k - £27.9k
Source: ONS ASHE 2024
Key Skills
Typical Route
Apprenticeship → Baker → Senior Baker → Master Baker / Own bakery
Restaurant Manager
Managing restaurant operations and staff
Range: £21.6k - £37.1k
Source: ONS ASHE 2024
Key Skills
Typical Route
Front-of-house → Supervisor → Assistant Manager → Manager
Food Writer
Writing about food, recipes, and restaurants
Range: £23.2k - £41.6k
Source: ONS ASHE 2024
Key Skills
Typical Route
Food blog → Freelance → Publication → Cookbook author
Salary data from Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2024
Cookery Heroes
These stars started at local clubs just like yours. Their journeys show what's possible.
Nadiya Hussain MBE
Cookery
Great British Bake Off winner, royal birthday cake baker
“I learned to cook watching my mother. Food connects us to who we are and where we come from.”
Jamie Oliver MBE
Cookery
Naked Chef, school meals campaigner, Ministry of Food
“I started helping in my dad's pub kitchen aged 8. Teaching kids to cook gives them a life skill.”
Heston Blumenthal OBE
Cookery
Fat Duck — three Michelin stars, molecular gastronomy pioneer
“I became obsessed with cooking on a family holiday at 16. Self-taught and endlessly curious.”
Monica Galetti
Cookery
MasterChef: The Professionals judge, own restaurant Mere
“Cooking gave me a career and a home in the UK. The kitchen is the most democratic place in the world.”
Featured Cookery Providers
These organisations offer structured programmes for young people across the UK.
New City College
3509 programmes
New City College is East London's educational powerhouse, formed from the merger of several historic institutions including Tower Hamlets College and Hackney Community College. With campuses stretching from Shoreditch to Hornchurch, they serve one of the most diverse student populations in the UK. What sets New City apart is their dual focus: high-level professional training (personal training diplomas, childcare qualifications) alongside intensive ESOL provision for the many first-generation immigrants in their catchment. Their campus locations put students within reach of London's job markets in fitness, hospitality, and early years. The college has invested heavily in modern facilities, including industry-standard fitness training suites and early years simulation rooms. For young people in East London seeking vocational routes into employment, New City offers genuine career launchpads rather than just qualifications.
View provider page →Sample Programmes
Culinary Skills Professional Chef Level 2
📍 HACKNEY
Ages 16–?
Culinary Skills Professional Chef Level 2
📍 Chadwell Heath
Ages 16–?
Culinary Skills Professional Chef Level 2
📍 HACKNEY
Ages 16–?
ClubHub UK
2625 programmes
ClubHub UK is a directory of children's activities, classes and clubs across the UK. Founded in 2016, it helps millions of parents discover trusted activities for their children.
View provider page →Sample Programmes
Children’s Cooking Classes (7-16 years)
📍 G45 9SA
Ages 7–16
Minis & Juniors Cooking Class
📍 G74 4GT
Ages 2–11
Minis & Juniors Cooking Class
📍 G74 4HG
Ages 2–11
University Centre Somerset College Group
1580 programmes
Somerset College has transformed from a traditional FE provider into a university centre delivering degrees across the South West. Their T Levels in engineering and manufacturing reflect strong connections with the aerospace and engineering firms in the Bristol-Bath-Bridgwater corridor. What makes Somerset distinctive is their land-based and construction focus. From fork-lift certification to barbering diplomas, they've built provision around the local economy — agriculture, construction, and service industries. Their NVQ plant operations courses serve the region's construction and infrastructure sectors. For young people in Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall who want to progress to higher education without relocating, their foundation degrees in early childhood and other subjects offer an affordable, local route. The campuses in Bridgwater, Taunton, and Street are embedded in their communities rather than feeling like remote institutions.
View provider page →Sample Programmes
BTCC Progression into Culinary Careers (1) - Bespoke
📍 Bridgwater
Ages 16–?
C&G 6100-30 L3 Adv Tech Dip in Professional Cookery
📍 Taunton
Ages 16–?
C&G 6100-30 L3 Adv Tech Dip in Professional Cookery
📍 Taunton
Ages 16–?
Find Cookery Near You
Search by location, age, or programme type to find clubs and courses in your area.