APPROVED DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SKILLS PROVIDER
Our Intensive Residential Culinary Courses for our gold DofE and Uni survival students are designed to gain confidence in the kitchen, heading off to Uni or looking to work in Hospitality for your gap year
Foodworks Cookery School offers a perfect residential course for students completing the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Over five days and four nights, students will learn essential life skills, including meal planning, budgeting, and cooking, fostering independence and confidence.
The course meets DofE requirements, providing an accredited certificate for easy award completion. Engaging activities like team tasks and evening events (clay pigeon shooting, rounders, croquet) promote socialisation and teamwork.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO LEARN ON YOUR COURSE
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WHY FOODWORKS
Our award-winning state of the art cookery school is nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds on the beautiful private Colesbourne Park Estate. 10 minutes from Cheltenham and Cirencester, our unique location means that our students have access to a wonderful range of evening activities in beautiful, memorable surroundings.
The stunning grounds provide the perfect backdrop for clay and air rifle shooting lessons, tennis, football, croquet and rounders, or just perfect for a peaceful walk after a busy day in the kitchen. We cater for all dietary requirements including vegetarian, gluten-free and halal.
Our small classes ensure that each student receives the benefit of working closely with our professional experienced chef. The learning experience is intended to meet each student’s needs from gaining the confidence to undertake a work placement in a catering environment during a gap year or simply being self-sufficient when heading off to university. We cater for all levels of experience from complete beginner to those looking to develop their individual flair.
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OUR ACCOMMODATION
Student accommodation is located within a 10 min drive from the school, in dedicated large privately owned guest houses, or the local private school sixform block.
There is a minibus service that transports the students to and from the cookery school.Accommodation is based on 2 students sharing a twin room, single rooms are available on request, with single room supplement charges. Accommodation provides breakfast and towels.
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A TYPICAL DAY
Each day begins with breakfast at your accommodation
The morning sessions start at 9:30. The first morning will be an introduction to working in a kitchen environment, we will cover knife skills, health and safety, food hygiene, and familiarity with produce.Each morning will be a different genre, working with seasonal produce, international cuisine, Thai and Indian dishes, and how to prepare the perfect roast Lunch is normally taken in our charming Herb garden weather permitting!
The afternoon sessions will be spent preparing a 3 course dinner including various skills, bread making, cooking with herbs spices and seasonal food, and how to make the perfect pudding! Each day ends with a fun dinner party followed by activities such as tennis, shooting, foody quiz, movies and croquet.
Duke of Edinburgh's Award (gold) residential / Uni-survival
Description
Description
This is an intensive 5 day residential course for Duke of Edinburgh (gold) award schemes, or Uni-Survival...those students looking to learn how to cook for themselves.
This course gives students of all abilities the confidence to develop their culinary skills, whilst inspiring them to cook with delicious, affordable and seasonal foods for both student living, or for family and friends.
In addition to learning to cook the students also cover menu planning, healthy eating options, storing food, food hygiene and kitchen safety which enables them to work within any catering environment and, indeed, many students have been in a position to earn some extra cash whilst at university.
Our chefs have created a fantastic array of recipes for students to learn and recreate...ranging from economic but nutritional meals to filleting fish and chicken, creating soups, roasts, meals with mince, quick pasta and bread baking, biscuits, cakes and desserts.
We also have a fun International Day covering Thai and Indian cuisine where we cook in larger quantities that can be frozen.
Each day starts at 9.30 working in small groups with the chef to prepare and cook lunch, followed with practical sessions throughout the afternoon until 6.30 when we stop for supper. The evenings are free to relax and play croquet, rounders or try your hand at clay pigeon shooting. We also run a fun foodie quiz on the last evening for the students to relax and enjoy.
£1,075 Uni-Survival non-residential
£1,175 Residential
Our Venue
Our Venue
Foodworks Cookery School is an imaginatively created cookery school located in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire.
You can find us here.
Directions: Coming down the A435 from either direction. As you reach the centre of Colesbourne, you will see a Gulf petrol station. If you are using a sat nav please make note NOT to turn down the lane by the Colesbourne Inn as this is a 'No Through Road' please turn in at Gulf Garage signposted 'To the Church' we are the large converted barn in front of you.
From Cheltenham: The petrol station will be on your left, take the turning signposted "To the church" immediately before it.
From Cirencester: The petrol station will be on your right, take the turning signposted "To the church" immediately after it. The Foodworks is in the new build barn facing you about 100 m down that road.
Important: On arrival please park in designated spaces marked signs 'Foodworks Parking' in front of building.
Duke of Edinburgh's Award (gold) residential / Uni-survival
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
Where are you located?
The Foodworks Cookery School Colesbourne Park Nr. Cheltenham Glos GL53 9NP
Directions: Coming down the A435 from either direction. As you reach the centre of Colesbourne, you will see a Gulf petrol station. If you are using a sat nav please make note NOT to turn down the lane by the Colesbourne Inn as this is a 'No Through Road' please turn in at Gulf Garage signposted 'To the Church' we are the large converted barn in front of you.
From Cheltenham:The petrol station will be on your left, take the turning signposted "To the church" immediately before it.
From Cirencester:The petrol station will be on your right, take the turning signposted "To the church" immediately after it. The Foodworks is in the new build barn facing you about 100 m down that road.
Important: On arrival please park in designated spaces marked signs 'Foodworks Parking' in front of building.
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Can you cater for special dietry requirements?
Can you cater for special dietry requirements?
We cater for all dietary requirements including vegetarian, gluten-free and halal. Please just let us know your requirements when booking. We can also offer alternate recipes for participants with allergies, intolerances and other special dietary requirements.
Are you certified for DofE?
Are you certified for DofE?
Yes. The Foodworkds is an Approved Activity Provider for students working towards achieving their Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE Award. We have a child protection policy in place, and all our tutors are DBS checked.
Do I need prior cooking experience?
Do I need prior cooking experience?
No, you don’t need any prior cooking experience to join our courses. Our programs are designed to start with the basics, making them perfect for total novices. You'll be tutored by experienced and qualified chefs who focus on building your skills from the ground up. As you progress through the course, you will see your confidence in the kitchen grow rapidly.
Can I come with a friend?
Can I come with a friend?
Yes! You can come with a friend although most students come by themselves. The requirements for the DofE Gold residential is that you mustn’t know more than 1 other person on the course.
Who will be on the course?
Who will be on the course?
This course is for students aged between 16 to 19. Nearly all of our students are taking the course for the DofE residential. We have a child protection policy in place, and all our tutors are DBS checked.
Payment & Security
Payment methods
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
