Young Cooks Get a Taste of the Action at COOK Trading Limited

On August 20th and 27th, COOK Trading Limited welcomed groups of budding chefs into their kitchens as part of an inspiring initiative aimed at empowering the next generation of homegrown culinary talent.

The visits were part of Social Enterprise Kent’s “Young Cooks” programme, which encourages young people to develop essential cooking skills, focusing on how to prepare healthy, affordable meals for their families. The initiative also offers a unique insight into the food industry, helping to spark interest in future career paths.

Students from the following schools took part in the exclusive kitchen tours:

• Highsted Grammar School
• Hilden Grange Preparatory School
• Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School
• The Maplesden Noakes School
• Hempstead Junior School
• School of Science and Technology
• Rochester Grammar School
• Oakwood Park Grammar School
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During their visit, the students were given a behind-the-scenes look at COOK’s renowned Pies & Pastries Kitchen and Classics Kitchen, where they observed first-hand the craftsmanship that goes into every dish. But it wasn’t just a tour—the young cooks were invited to get involved, rolling up their sleeves and stepping into the shoes of COOK’s talented chefs.



As well as learning about recipe development and preparation, the visits also emphasised the critical importance of food hygiene, safety, and teamwork in a professional kitchen environment.

“This experience gave young people a real understanding of the passion, precision, and pride that goes into every COOK meal,” said a SEK spokesperson. COOK said “We’re so glad we can support the Young Cook initiative - the more young people we can get cooking, the better for all of us. Cooking is a gateway to so much more ...”