For the Love of Cookies
Hampshire Fare has sponsored a second ‘Bake Off’ workshop for year 10 and 11 pupils, following the success of last year’s inaugural baking workshop at City College Southampton.
Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare, commented: “Hampshire Fare are delighted to support City College Southampton’s latest ‘Bake Off’ workshop. This new course was called ‘For the Love of Giant Cookies’ as the workshop took place on St Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, 14th February. We think this style of workshop is a really fun and engaging way to encourage young bakers to work in a professional kitchen environment and learn new skills!”
Julie Hancock, Bakery Lecturer, City College Southampton, said: “We want to thank Hampshire Fare for sponsoring this event once more. Running courses like this are so important as tools for encouraging the young into the hospitality industry. Hampshire Fare’s sponsorship is very valuable to us as it means we can run the workshop at no cost to the students; this means everyone has an equal opportunity to attend.
"It is really great that there are organisations that believe we must invest in our future industry and are willing to back it with their time and money. Here’s to next year!”
The course was aimed at young, budding bakers, although no experience was required. It was attended by a dozen year 10 and 11 students (aged 14-16 years) from across the region. The workshop was instructive, yet informal, guiding the students through the process of making cookies with tips and recipe sheets provided so the students could practise baking at home. Every student produced a selection of giant cookies with a prize awarded to the baker judged to have produced the best cookies in terms of colour and flavour.
Tracy Nash continued: “We had no problem persuading two of Hampshire Fare’s Corporate Friends to attend as judges on the day!”
One of the judges, Julie Widdall, Harvest, said: “Thank you to City College Southampton for hosting the event, and to Hampshire Fare for inviting us to judge the splendid array of cookies baked by the students. I was astonished by the quality of the cookies, which made the task of judging even harder.”
Another judge, Simon Davidson, NFU Mutual New Forest, Bournemouth & Isle of Wight, agreed: “It was great watching the students enjoying themselves baking, and then tasting the results! The standard was very impressive. Overall, I was delighted to be involved in this workshop. It is courses such as these that help to encourage young people to learn how to cook and even follow a career in hospitality.”
All the students received a certificate of attendance, a Hampshire Fare shopper bag and a Local Produce Guide. The winner, Tabitha, from Swanmore College, was also presented with a cookery book from Julie Hancock, City College Southampton.
Tabitha commented: “I saw this opportunity pop up and as I love baking I thought it was a great way to spend half term. I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m so surprised to win. I couldn’t believe it when my name was called out!”
All the students who took part enjoyed the day and provided very positive feedback.
Darshini, from St Anne’s Catholic School said: “I wanted to improve my cooking and baking skills so I thought it would be a good thing to do during half term and a way to meet new friends, too.”
Lacey, from Oasis Academy Mayfield, added: “I like cooking and baking. I am hoping today will help me to possibly pursue joining City College Southampton in future.”
Tracy Nash reflected: “What I have taken away from the day is that these activities are a really important way for younger people to discover what they are passionate about and what they want to do, as well as helping to build their self-confidence.”
Julie Hancock concluded: “I am really pleased everyone enjoyed it, both judges and students. The standard was high and the students were very creative with their decorating. This was a particularly useful experience for those students thinking of coming into the industry and others set to join us in September.”
