We are raising funds for cookery sessions for local primary school children. Many schools no longer have cookery facilities to teach these vital life skills, and with budgets squeezed ever tighter, many families lack time & money to experiment with new ingredients & recipes. Schools invited to attend the sessions all have high numbers of pupils on free school meals.

We find that leaving the school environment and learning from our skilled cooks can support children to try new foods and grow in confidence & independence – especially meaningful for children with neurodiversity, anxiety and others who may struggle in the classroom.

Children also take what they have learned back home – practicing the recipes, honing their new skills and sharing the joy of cooking together with the whole family.

With the support of restaurants & festive diners across the city this winter, we believe we can reach our goal to teach 250 local children next year. If we meet our target for cookery sessions, we will be able to add farm & community garden visits for the children - sharing new flavours & knowledge about how food is grown with the next generation.

“An amazing place. Very enjoyable! I learnt lots of new cooking skills, tasted different types of food, learnt about science and even forgot it was a school day.”

“When our Year Five children… cook with the Community Kitchen team, they’re not just learning recipes and important life skills — they’re discovering confidence, teamwork and the joy of creating something that brings the class together.”

https://www.thecommunitykitchen.org.uk/a-recipe-for-life

CAMPAIGN UPDATES:

August 2026 - The Chalk Cliff Trust have generously awarded a grant of £3,000 towards our schools cookery work.

Thank you to Waitrose Brighton customers who voted for our project in store and have raised £1,500.

July 2026 - Thanks Xav for a delicious fundraising supperclub in the Community Kitchen, sharing Mexican delights from his childhood and raising £967.

We are grateful for all your support in bringing cookery joy to local children - thank you for donating & spreading the word to others.