New cook school promotes benefits of home cooking

Glasgow is the new home to Scotland's first cook school with a conscience after the initiative received backing from social enterprise funders FirstPort and UnLtd.

Founded by internationally acclaimed food writer Sumayya Usmani, the Kaleyard brings the love of homecooking into people's lives while encouraging more people to make cooking a focus in their home.

The school will run classes covering a wide range of cuisines but will focus on simplicity, seasonality and locally sourced ingredients.

All profits from the organisation's commercial cookery classes will go to fund both free and subsidised classes which will be readily accessible for marginalised groups within Glasgow to learn, cook, eat and share together.

Asmani said: “Kaleyard can be a place where people come together. I hope to bring a little joy into people and children’s lives, as well as teach them to cook cost effective food for a healthier lifestyle. Kaleyard is a pop up cookery school at the Old Barn in Pollock Park, Southside for now, but is on the lookout for a permanent home soon.”

Its first programme of subsidised classes will commence in Jan 2019 with special needs school St Oswalds, these will be delivered using the funding received from UnLtd.

Thomas McAlister, UnLtd Scotland Manager said: “Ideas like this are evidence that enterprising people are at the heart of so much positive change in local communities. Our vision is a future where social entrepreneurs flourish in and with their communities, implementing local solutions.”

Kaleyard kicks off 2019 with a Pakistani cook and dine class which takes place at the Old Barn in Pollok Park.