School cookery lessons have come a long way since the bad old days. As recently as the 1970s, girls might finish school with a handful of dishes under their pinnies, such as cheesy baked potatoes or chocolate mousse thickened with cornflour. And boys? Well, they were off doing ‘man stuff’ like woodwork.
Today, the situation is very different. Food education is far from perfect, but thousands of young men and women finish school with A-levels that equip them with basic cookery skills and a grounding in subjects as varied as food safety, nutrition science, and eating and mental health. But that’s about to change.
Just as schools were closing their doors last summer, the Government quietly revealed plans that spell the end of food studies at A-level. Experts fear the decision will have far-reaching consequences.