BEAP Community Partnership has announced an educational initiative in collaboration with One in a Million School, Manningham.
The “Cook to Eat” Masterclass, led by Chef Nazrul Islam, aims to teach students how to cook nutritious and affordable meals using readily available ingredients and traditional spices. The hands-on session took place in the school’s food technology kitchen, with 10-15 pupils actively participating.
The programme is designed to inspire young people to appreciate the value of home-cooked meals, while learning essential skills like meal preparation, food budgeting, and the history of spices that are central to the British culinary experience.
“This project is not just about cooking, it’s about empowering young people to make better choices for their health and budgets,” said Lukman Miah, BEAP Centre and Programmes Manager. “We want them to see that cooking at home can be affordable, nutritious, and an exciting way to connect with their cultural heritage. This is a vital life skill that can help them in the future.”
Chef Nazrul Islam said, “Teaching these pupils about the richness of spices and how they’ve shaped British cuisine is a wonderful experience. I’m thrilled to see their enthusiasm for learning how to cook dishes they can take home to their families. It’s not just about food, but about creating memories in the kitchen.”
The 1.5-hour session provided students with practical cooking skills, including preparing ingredients and using spices like turmeric, coriander, and chilli powder. It gave them an insight into the history of the spice trade and its connection to the UK’s curry industry, with a focus on the role of Bangladesh.
The session also provided them with an understanding of how to create affordable, tasty meals from common supermarket items. It gave them with lessons in food budgeting and how cooking at home can be cheaper and healthier than buying takeaway.
Jacob Thornton, a young person from Manningham who attended the session, said, “It was my first time cooking tonight. I didn’t know some of the ingredients existed until I attended the cooking masterclass”
Another, Michelle Osunnaiye, said: “I really enjoyed the cooking class last night. I have never made any Bangladeshi food before. It was delicious and I really enjoyed the whole experience cooking with ingredients from scratch.”
Each student received recipe sheets, a history of the spice trade, and handouts on nutrition and cooking on a budget. The session concluded with the students tasting their dishes and taking the remaining portions home to share with their families.
“What a fantastic evening of cooking and learning about Bangladeshi cuisine and how to cook and make a healthy, affordable meal,” said Christian Allsworth, One in a Million Charity Development Manager. “The children and young people loved it and for some it was their first time making a meal from scratch”
This initiative reflects BEAP’s commitment to engaging young people in meaningful activities that not only educate but also celebrate the cultural richness of Bradford’s diverse communities.
