Can Cook was originally set up in 2007 by Five Children & Families Trust as a response to the requests received from the parents using our cafes, wanting to improve their cookery skills and try new and healthier foods.
The team managing our fresh cafes developed a training programme for local parents, capturing the attention of everyone taking part through learning that is fun and easy to adapt to. At the end of the initial course we produced our first book Can Cook Will Cook - Everyday Cooking for Everyday People. Simply about the joys of cooking and a prompt to get anyone started!
Our training approach is fun and all about practical demonstration, believing that the best place for people to learn about cookery is in the kitchen, at a stove with food within grasp and in their pans. The training environment we have created is dynamic and has developed in a number of innovative directions.
- Community Sessions have been delivered for community groups, schools, youth groups and children centre project groups across Liverpool. We have developed a beginners and intermediate package. Have a look at this section of the website to see who we have been working with.
- In 2007 we began our School Sessions competition, working with teams of Sixth Form and year 11 students. Beginning with young people who had little or no formal training, the project prepares them to compete for the winners prize of cooking three courses for 140 guests and a weekend of intensive training in Nick Nairn's Cookery School.
- After the success of our first publication Can Cook Will Cook Everyday Cooking for Everyday People, our second book 'Healthier', moved the Can Cook programme into new areas. It looks at nutrition and exercise, both natural partners to food, cooking and overall wellbeing.
- Our latest addition is The Can Cook Studio which launched in May in South Liverpool. The Studio is a hub for the programme. During the week the Studio will be an educational forum,offering access to healthier food training for community groups, schools, businesses and anyone involved in food, health and wellbeing. At evening and weekends the Studio will be open for individuals and for private hire - to come and work with our Chef and take part in the range of courses that are on offer.