Cookery-Cook Smart
Description
Cooking Smart – Budget-Friendly, Nutritious Meals from Everyday Ingredients. This practical, hands-on course is designed to help learners confidently transform economical ingredients, pantry staples, and everyday leftovers into delicious, nourishing meals. With a strong focus on reducing food waste and saving money, participants will learn how to make the most of what they already have at home while creating meals that are both satisfying and adaptable to family tastes.
Throughout the course, learners will follow clear, written recipes while developing essential kitchen skills, including chopping, grating, slicing, and preparing ingredients safely and efficiently. Sessions are highly interactive, encouraging collaboration and the sharing of ideas, tips, and experiences within a supportive group environment.
Participants will explore how to adapt recipes to suit individual preferences, dietary needs, and available ingredients. This includes identifying creative ways to use up leftover or overlooked foods and making simple adjustments to improve the nutritional value of everyday meals without increasing cost.
The course also embeds practical, evidence-based healthy eating principles, including:
Increasing dietary variety by incorporating a wide range of fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, nuts, and seeds, aiming for up to 30 different plant-based foods each week. Each session will reflect on how many have been included in the recipes.
Making effective use of tinned, dried, and frozen produce as cost-effective, nutritious, and waste-reducing alternatives to fresh ingredients.
Boosting meals with pulses, legumes, seeds, and nuts to support healthy protein and fibre intake.
Understanding how meal composition affects energy levels, including strategies such as eating fibre-rich foods before sweet foods to help reduce sugar spikes.
Reducing reliance on added sugars and sweeteners by using whole fruits and natural ingredients to enhance flavour.
By the end of th
More information
Each week, the tutor will demonstrate a new skill and guide you through the process of creating recipes that you will be able to cook and take home. You will discuss how to shop for, store and make best use of ingredients. All dishes will be suitable for beginners and those with a little experience, and help you create a variety of recipes.
Can I join late?
No late starters - short course.
Who is the course for?
This course is ideal for anyone interested in learning to cook while getting the most from their ingredients and making their food budget go further.
Do I need prior knowledge or experience?
No.
How will I learn?
A practical course with a mixture of one to one and small group tuition, demonstration, discussion and questions and answers.
How will my progress be assessed?
You will be assessed informally by your tutor, as part of normal classroom activities. There will be plenty of opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor.
Is there an external qualification?
No, this is an non-accredited course.
What can I do next?
Other cookery courses, budget management and healthy eating courses at BAEC or elsewhere - the tutor will advise.
What do I need to bring?
Please bring a pen and paper to the first session, the tutor will discuss any further equipment required for subsequent sessions. You will need to bring a plastic boxes or containers to carry your finished dishes home every week. Please also provide your own tea towel and washing up sponge each week.
Are there any extra costs?
Yes, you will need to provide all the ingredients for your dishes each week. An ingredients list will be provided prior to the first week of the course. If you do not receive this, please contact the college.
Is there work between sessions?
No, although you may wish to re-create the demonstrated dish at home.
For further information, please contact:
Call the Kentwood Centre on 0208 659 7976 or Curriculum Development Manager Philip Bedford
Safety Information
Health & Safety Warning: For your safety and the safety of others, it is essential that all learners follow the health and safety guidance provided by the tutor at all times.
Failure to comply with safety instructions, use equipment appropriately, or behave responsibly may result in serious injury or death. Any disregard for health and safety procedures may lead to removal from the course.
Your cooperation is vital to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for everyone.
Course Summary
Code: K05791
Starting: Tuesday 03 November 2026
Location: Kentwood Centre
Tutor: Jenny Stringer
Cost: £74 (concessions £60)
By continuing you confirm that you are over 19 and have agreed to the the terms and conditions
Time and duration
Day: Tuesday Morning
Start Time: 10:00
End Time: 12:00
Start Date: 03 November 2026
End Date: 01 December 2026
Duration: 5 sessions spanning 5 week(s)
Location
Kentwood Centre
Kingsdale Road
Penge
London
SE20 7PR