For three months, Burnley Together’s Down Town has been hosting regular cooking classes for the community.
The classes have a simple and effective aim: to help build confidence in the kitchen with practice and affordable recipes.
Over the course of six-week blocks, participants learn how to cook on a budget, make batch meals and create easy slow cooker dishes.
Many people of all ages and abilities have benefited from the sessions since they started, including children who’ve participated in MasterChef-style competitions as well as adults who have wanted a culinary refresher.
Chef Dave Webb, who leads the sessions, boasts a strong reputation within the hospitality industry with nearly 20 years’ experience, and he says while the food is front and centre of what they do, there’s more to the sessions than the end product.
“We’re giving them some skills and techniques to improve their cooking at home,” he said.
“It’s become a social club really in a lot of ways. People are surprised by what they can do with just a little bit of help.
“We start very simple; you don’t need any cookery experience to come and join. We start with a really simple session, and from there, I’ll gauge the level of skill we’ve got in the group and tailor it. Nobody who has taken part so far feels pushed too far out of their comfort zone. All the help is there as well; we take it at a nice, slow pace.”
Each six-week block takes place during school term time, and it costs absolutely nothing to take part. Experience isn’t necessary, and all abilities are welcome.
Dave added: “I don’t think there are many other programmes like this really; there’s quite a lot involved in it. Word is spreading, and people need to get booked on!
“It won’t be as difficult as you think it is, even if you think you can’t cook. We’ll make it easy for you; you’ll be surprised at what you can do!
“It’s a very positive environment; the people down here are lovely. I love working here because it’s so friendly; it is a very positive environment. We’ve had some very nice friendships made in the groups. The last cohort were all very sad to see it end; it felt quite a loss [to them] for their Friday mornings because they did enjoy it so much.”
To book your place for the next six-week block, contact Burnley Together by phoning 01282 686402, emailing contact@burnleytogether.org.uk, or calling in to Down Town and speaking to a friendly member of staff.