I am currently involved in assisting at a series of workshops run by Steve Weaver of Chives Caterers. The project is part of Cyber Youth Connection (CYC) Medway, an initiative to give 11-19 year olds skills in cookery, music and motorbike mechanics (yes, really!) in collaboration with a similar initiative in northern France.

I’ve learned how to make twice-baked soufflés, how to crush garlic and how to break up dry spaghetti to put in minestrone, among a lot of other things. Steve’s menus are wonderfully ambitious, so for each session we make and eat a three-course meal including desserts such as chocolate éclairs and hot chocolate puddings.

And the kids love it too…