Food Preparation and Nutrition

Welcome to the Food Preparation and Nutrition Department at CFS where students learn the invaluable life skill of cooking and the pleasure of creating a wide variety of mouth-watering dishes. Our philosophy is to develop creative, confident and independent cooks. Through following the national curriculum for Food the focus is on learning a wide variety of cooking skills whilst working safely and hygienically. The dishes selected to cook in practical lessons are chosen carefully to practice specific skills, whilst being mindful of cost, dietary requirements and lesson time. Students are encouraged to adapt the basic recipes through discussion with the teacher and creativity is actively encouraged. As part of our assessment, students will regularly get an opportunity to select their own dishes to cook and further develop their skills. This is achieved through meeting a brief and carrying out research and planning. Following practical sessions students will reflect on their dishes through homework tasks involving self, peer and family assessment to evaluate their work and identify how they can improve and adapt. As well as practical cooking lessons, students will carry out a range of activities to develop their subject vocabulary, knowledge of and understanding of food-related topics. A key focus is nutrition and the close relationship food has with health. We also explore the science behind cooking and why certain foods and ingredients behave like they do. Students will also learn about social, moral, ethical and environmental issues relating to food. Regular intervention and support is offered across all key stages to help students make their expected progress and achieve success in this subject.