School chefs graduate from new training course backed by Jacksons food group

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

A new training programme for school chefs backed by Hull-based William Jackson Food Group has been completed by its first graduates.

Nine chefs from schools around the city took part in the course created specifically for school kitchen teams.

As well as covering  key information on nutrition, it also provides tips on reducing food waste, coping with rising food prices and meeting school food standards. 

The training was delivered by the charity Chefs in Schools and funded by the company.

At the end of the programme, the graduates celebrated by taking part in a bakery masterclass at the group’s Hull bakery in Derringham Street.

Chef trainer Louis Davison said: “Seeing the transformation in the chefs’ approach to their role as chef educators was a highlight for me.

“Their ambition to challenge themselves and elements of their catering provision where it needed addressing, was courageous. It was a pleasure to train, support and get to know the group and we all look forward to continuing our guidance beyond the programme.”

Jacksons held the graduation event at their Derrington Street site.

In the masterclass, they learnt new baking skills and produced bread loaves and buns in the development kitchen with the New Product Development team at Jacksons.

Participants were also given a tour of the factory facility while their bread was proved and baked.

Christopher Oughtred, family shareholder and former chairman of the business, which has been in the city since 1851, awarded certificates to the chefs on completion of the programme.

He said: “A community should be a better place for having one of our businesses in it and I think the work we have done in partnership with Chefs in Schools is a good example of this.

“We are a food business and our charity work focuses on food education and food poverty, so supporting the brilliant school chefs, who are trying to do their best to give children a nutritious hot lunch, is a great addition to the work we’ve already been doing with bread donations to school breakfast clubs.

“Having spent a morning with the school chefs participating in this course, I can strongly recommend it to others from across the city who are passionate about giving children the best school lunch they can.”

The schools which took part in the programme are now eligible to apply for grant funding towards running food education projects.

The grants will be used to purchase equipment and resources that will help their kitchen teams to run a food project at their schools. This could be equipment for running a cooking class, or the resources and tools to start a herb garden.

Applicants for the next training course are now being sought. It begins in Hull in February.

Schools do not need to contribute to the cost but must enable staff to attend a one- hour session a week for eight weeks as well as the masterclass.

The course is suitable for all school kitchen staff and set-ups, catered in-house or outsourced.

For more information, visit https://chefsinschools.org.uk/sign-up-now