Cooking courses with a difference at Hospiscare

Charity-run cookery classes which have helped novices in Devon to fend for themselves in the kitchen, will be running again this June.

The Hospiscare Catering Team at Dryden Road Exeter began the series of courses in September last year and have taught people, many who have never had to cook for themselves, basic culinary skills.

The courses are for anyone who has found themselves alone following a bereavement or are looking after a poorly partner and doesn’t have the first idea how to prepare and cook a basic meal.

80-year-old Eric Smith from Honiton completed the course earlier this year after his wife became ill and died.

He said: “My wife was the cook at home and a very good one. I could fry an egg and bacon and basic things but I just didn’t like cooking.

“When my wife became ill and eventually died I had to think ‘what am I going to do?’ - I’ve got to eat.”

Getting by on pre-packed ready meals, which Eric said filled a hole but weren’t very exciting, Eric jumped at the chance of joining the Hospiscare cookery course run by Catering Manager Lil Badcock.

He said: “When Hospiscare suggested that they would run a course for people like me I said ‘could I go on it?’

“Lil the chef and I had a good two-way banter and it made it easier and certainly interesting for me.”

During three, two-hour sessions Lil and her team teach the participants how to cook main courses and desserts, as well as offering helpful advice on using fresh and frozen foods, what to buy and even where to find the best shopping bargains.

Lil said: “If people have just lost someone and they have never cooked, not only are they having to deal with grief but they are having to look after themselves and might not know where to start.

“They may know basic things like how to make toast or boil an egg but they’ve probably not cooked at home.

“We tell them what food is available and talk about the difference in cost in different shops. The course is hands-on and we show people shortcuts to make good meals from scratch.”

Eric, who has a fondness for steamed puddings, said the course had given him an enthusiasm and confidence in the kitchen, but that he did have to call Lil on one occasion after becoming stuck.

He said: “Lil is a lovely lady. I can remember not long after the first class, going home and saying ‘I must make an effort and do this’, then phoning her up because I couldn’t remember how long to cook something for.
“I have a bit of an interest in cooking now but it gave me confidence. I would recommend the course to anyone who’s not used to cooking; it would give them a little bit of knowledge and enthusiasm.

“It’s all hands-on; Lil shows you what she’s doing but at the same time you’re doing it with her. It was good fun and a lovely two hours each week.”
The next Hospiscare cookery course begins on June 1.

For more information or to book a place visit www.hospiscare.co.uk, email education@hospiscare.co.uk or call 01392 688036.

Hospiscare gives high-quality care and dedicated free-of-charge support to people who are terminally ill in Exeter, Mid and East Devon.