Wellington College chef inspires students through cooking demonstrations

Sharing his culinary knowledge and inspiring the next generation of cooks is proving to be one of the most rewarding aspects of Darren Edwards’ role as executive chef at Wellington College.

Darren, who is also a BCF committee member, was invited by a pastoral teacher to run a series of cooking demonstrations for students aged between 14 and 18, focusing on quick, easy and enjoyable recipes.

The sessions began with discussions about the students’ favourite foods, why they enjoy them and what they like to cook themselves. Pancakes proved particularly popular, with Darren bringing the session to a close with a Shrove Tuesday-inspired demonstration, showing students how to make pancakes and experiment with a variety of toppings.

The demonstrations have also provided an opportunity to explore food and traditions from different cultures and feast days. Students discussed Burns’ Night, learning about Scottish poet Robert Burns and the origins of the celebration, as well as Chinese New Year and the animals associated with the Chinese zodiac.

Alongside developing practical cooking skills, Darren uses the sessions to reinforce the principles of healthy eating and encourage students to consider what makes a balanced diet. While nutrition is not the primary focus of the demonstrations, as this is covered in greater depth during their Food Science lessons, Darren believes that understanding healthy choices is an important part of developing students’ confidence in the kitchen.

“One of the most rewarding parts of my role as Executive Chef at Wellington College is sharing my knowledge and experience with the students, helping to build their confidence and develop new skills,” said Darren.

“Seeing their progress and enthusiasm for learning is incredibly satisfying and is something I take great pride in.”