Pupils at Tondu Primary School are getting hands-on experience in the kitchen as part of a cluster of community cooking courses taking place across Bridgend County Borough. The sessions, run by Cooking Together Wales and supported by the Bridgend Sustainable Food Partnership, aim to teach practical meal preparation, basic nutrition and ways to waste less food.
Practical lessons that reach beyond the classroom
The classes focus on simple, affordable recipes and food skills that pupils can use at home. The Partnership, established in January 2024, brings together local organisations to improve access to healthy and sustainable food by coordinating community projects and venues.
According to the organisers, the programme is intended to boost confidence in the kitchen and encourage healthier choices by showing families how easy it can be to prepare nutritious meals from basic ingredients.
“These sessions are about more than sharing recipes – they’re about confidence, health and giving people practical skills that fit real lives.”
The remark came from Councillor Martyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Services, reflecting the council’s view that the work links education, wellbeing and practical life skills.
Where the scheme is operating
Cooking Together Wales has already delivered sessions at a range of community sites and schools during 2025, with a further schedule planned for 2026. The programme is designed to connect community venues with instructors and local projects to ensure wider reach across the county borough.
| Sessions delivered (2025) | Sessions planned (2026) |
|---|---|
| Tanio, Bettws BCLC, Cefn Cribbwr, Tondu Primary, Baobab Bach (Kenfig Hill), Noddfa (Caerau), Afon y Felin (Cornelly) | Bryntirion Primary, Youth Justice Service, Penyfai Primary, Ogmore Vale, Nantymoel Primary, Abercerdin Primary, Bryncethin Primary, Inspire 2 Achieve |
What the instructors say
“I am really enjoying delivering the cooking workshops with Bridgend Food Partnership. Seeing the children’s enthusiasm for basic ingredients and how they discover new f
That is part of a longer comment from Cooking Together Wales instructor Jen Davis, who has been involved in delivering the workshops across the county borough.
- Skills taught: basic preparation, simple cooking, and practical nutrition understanding.
- Aim: to support wellbeing and help families make the most of ingredients affordably.
- Partnership role: connecting venues and communities to the cooking programme.
For parents and carers, the scheme offers practical takeaways: recipes and techniques that are intended to be realistic for busy family life. For schools, the sessions present an opportunity to reinforce lessons about health and sustainability with hands-on activity.
As the Bridgend Sustainable Food Partnership continues to connect local projects, the cooking classes are likely to remain a visible example of how community organisations and schools can work together to build confidence around food and promote healthier, more sustainable eating habits in the county.
