News
Step-Up Sandwell 6-week cultural cooking programme success!
Our Step-Up Sandwell 6-week cultural cooking programme in partnership with 2 Much Passion CIC – was a great success and ended with a Kuumba Cook-Off and presentation of Level 2 Health and Hygiene certificate for all those who took part.
Participants took part in a 6-week cooking programme facilitated by Vanessa from 2 Much Passion CIC.
Vanessa said: “At 2 Much Passion CIC, we’re proud to partner with the Sandwell African Caribbean Mental Health Foundation to deliver our Caribbean Cooking School. Through food, we’re creating a space where people can reconnect with culture, build confidence, and strengthen their wellbeing. Our goal is to inspire joy, community, and pride—one authentic dish at a time.”
The programme aimed to equipped those looking for training within the hospitality industry and those looking to improve their culinary skills with the opportunity to create some traditional tasty Caribbean dishes.
Some of the tasty dishes that participants learnt to cook were curry chicken and white rice, Caribbean soup, mackerel run down and more!
To end the programme, on 15th January the group took part in a competition Kuumba Cook Off! Participants were divided into groups to then select 3 dishes, one being a dish they’ve learnt to cook over the past 6 weeks and the other two dishes a selection of their own choice. Each group cooked their menu options and presented their dishes to the judging panel. The panel consisted of Pat Johnson (SACMHF CEO) Rebecca Gardner (SACMHF Operations Manager) and Nikki- Dee Haddleton (Communities in Sync, Operations Manager) and Chris Ogidih (Outreach Support Worker).
The competition was fierce with participants really showing off their creative culinary skills. Dishes included were Jerk Chicken, rice and peas, chicken with seasoned rice, as well as vegetarian option of brown stew tofu, plantain and green bean.
After careful deliberation, the judges concluded that the winning dish was the vegetarian option, this was chosen for their presentation , taste and technical skills.
A presentation also took place for those who completed their Level 2 Health and Hygiene certificate demonstrating participants passion and commitment to the course. To further acknowledge and commend the dedication shown by all participants, four distinguished awards were presented. These included an award recognising the first participant to complete the Level 2 e‑learning training, an award for Outstanding Culinary Excellence (Best Chef), and an award honouring the winning team from the cook‑off competition.
SACMHF Service user said:
“I’ve learnt how to cook certain meals differently than I normally do.” Another service user has this to say, “I will give the cooking programme a definite 10 out 10 because it was not just a learning opportunity, we had fun doing it and so it was really interesting and I wouldn’t mind doing it again”.
The programme was a great success with participants thoroughly enjoying the cooking experience and we hope to collaborate more future projects with 2 Much passion CIC. A number of participates have shown a keen interest in work placement experience with 2 Much Passion.
