More than 30 young people have been taking part in a community kitchen, led by Nottinghamshire County Council, to learn how to plan meals to a budget and create healthy food.

The Incredibles Community Kitchen, organised by the council’s youth service, has been taking place at The Acre young people’s centre on Morley Street, Kirkby.

It helps young people in social education, learning about budgeting skills and nutrition, gaining a sense of community.

Lead youth worker Scott Johnson has worked closely with Kirkby Community College to promote the project to students and staff.
Asda supermarket’s community team at Priestsic Road, Sutton, have contributed food as part of its FairShare initiative. Donations and support from other local businesses would be welcome.

Scott said: “The community kitchen is amazing.

“At the moment we are reaching the right young people and they are enjoying the whole experience.

“Numbers are great and hopefully this will bloom even further into something that the whole community could get behind.

“We have had donations from local supermarkets but would like more support from other organisations interested in helping us making it a sustainable project long term.

“We hope we can continue to achieve a community project that we can all be behind and feel proud to be part of.”

Coun Tracey Taylor, vice-chairman of the children and young people’s committee, at the council, said: “This is an excellent community initiative.

“Young people are involved at each step, looking at what food is seasonal and which ingredients can be utilised from the kitchen store room.

“Some of the cuisine so far has included homemade meatballs and pasta sauce with garlic bread, making breaded chicken from scratch with homemade wedges and chilli con carne.”

There are vegetarian options available every session and individuals’ dietary requirements are catered for.

There is also a taste testing element to the kitchen, allowing young people to taste unusual or less common foods to broaden their knowledge of nutritious options.

The project also offers the opportunity for young people to talk to youth workers as a drop-in youth work session, where young people can go straight from school and discuss issues affecting them.

Karl Rogers, year 8 and 9 coordinator at Kirkby College, said the project was invaluable to some of the students and there was a buzz around the following week’s menu after each session.

The scheme has also had the backing of some of the young people involved in the scheme.

Charlotte Blockley, 15, said: “The community kitchen is amazing because I can help out in the kitchen with all the cooking and have fun with my friends.”

Kora Baxter, 12, said: “I’s brilliant, I have made new friends and tried some food I have never tried before.”

Kristian Appleby, 15, said: “It’s a great place for me to come and meet other young people from my school and get to know them while getting involved in the cooking and planning of the kitchen.”

Hayley Carrington, community champion at Asda, said: “Getting young people cooking and tasting new foods is great.”

Anyone who can help the project should email [email protected]