Children love cooking and we at Buile Hill Visual Arts College embrace their ambitions. As early as Year 7 pupils have regular Food lessons which continue through to Year 9 after which they can opt to follow a BTEC in Hospitality and Catering.

Pupils are guaranteed the opportunity to cook a variety of dishes that consider the importance of a balanced diet. Food helps pupils understand the physical, chemical, nutritional and sensory properties of food.

Pupils are also made aware of the health and safety implications of  food handling.

In this Department there are:

• A fully equipped and modern food technology room
• An experienced Food Technologist supported by an able technician
• Good use made of ICT and multimedia
• A chance for all pupils to study this subject until the end of Year 9 after which it becomes an optional subject
• A very popular after school food club

Key Stage 3

In Year 7, the pupils will spend 2 hours a week for approximately 8 weeks beginning to learn the principles of good food hygiene, safety in the kitchen and how to use a variety of kitchen equipment. Teaching is through a mix of theory, demonstration and practical lessons. The theme for Year 7 is Fruit and Vegetables. Pupils enjoy designing and making their own products almost as much as they enjoy eating them!

Recipes include:

Fruit Medley
Fruit Crumble
Spaghetti Bolognaise
Vegetable Soup
Rock Buns
Pizza

In Year 8 they will continue to build on knowledge gained in Year 7 by focusing on basic nutrition.The theme for Year 8 is Healthy Eating. Each week a different nutrient will be studied and this will be accompanied with a suitable practical session.

Recipes include:

Curry/Sweet and Sour
Oatty Cookies
Crunch Pudding
Sizzling Stir Fry
Pasta Salad
Pasta Bake

In Year 9 they will be increasing their practical skills through making more complex dishes such as pastry which will  prepare those pupils wishing to continue with Food in the options as well as allowing all pupils to raise their end of Key Stage 3 levels. The theme for Year 9 is Pastry Making .
The pupils will learn about the processes involved in manufacturing food.

Recipes include:

Jam Tarts
Decorated Fruit Pie
Savoury Pie
Sausage Rolls – puff pastry
Muffins
Chicken Curry/StirFry/Chinese Dish

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4 pupils opt to follow a double award in BTEC Hospitality.
This is taught in 3 modules

• Basic Culinary Skills – the pupils cook every week and learn a wide range of practical techniques
• The World of Work – the pupils look at working within the Hospitality Industry in its widest context
• Healthy Lifestyles – the pupils study nutrition and its impact on the body along with the positive and negative influences on healthy living.

Will I enjoy the course?

You will enjoy the course if you want to study a subject that :

• Involves cooking food
• Is both practical and technical
• Involves working alone and as part of a group
• Is relevant and linked to the real working world
• Supports a career choice
• Is fun and rewarding

Professional Chefs

As part of the work we do in Food Technology, a couple of times a year we are able to acquire a number of professional chefs to come into school and offer Master Classes to pupils, where you can watch and learn something foody that is completely new to you.

In addition once a year the Year 10 BTEC Hospitality students have the opportunity to work for an entire day on a Ready Steady Cook Competition where our pupils work alongside Chefs to plan a 3 course menu, and then cook and present it before a taste test is carried out. This is an exciting competiton where the sky is the limit.