Xiaohongshu
Join us for a hands-on 2.5-hour cooking class that brings together food, skills, and social impact.
đź“Ť Location: Hackney School of Food, Oswald Street, Lower Clapton, London E5 0BT (12 mins by bike from UCL East)
⏰ Timings: 2.5 hours at 11am or 2pm on Thursday 19th March
🌯 Catering: Plant-based and nut-free recipes - enjoy in our Garden Dining room and take home your leftovers
🎟️ Ticket: £5 subsidised tickets, supporting our two Social Enterprise partners
About Cook for Change
We’re teaming up with Hackney School of Food and graduates from the KERB+ Hospitality Programme to run a series of relaxed, practical cooking sessions designed especially for students. Each class is led by chefs who have grown their food businesses through KERB+, a programme supporting independent, community-rooted hospitality entrepreneurs.
Across a two-hour session, you’ll learn simple, plant-based and budget-friendly recipes, build core cooking skills, and leave with ideas you can easily recreate at home — no prior experience needed. Classes are welcoming, beginner-friendly, and focused on confidence in the kitchen.
Alongside cooking, you’ll also get a short introduction to the social enterprise models behind the day — from Hackney School of Food as a community-led space, to KERB+ graduates running mission-driven food businesses. It’s a chance to see how food can be a tool for community, sustainability and livelihoods.
Each session will feature a different cuisine style, so you can choose the class that speaks to you most.
What to expect:
- A relaxed, collaborative, family-style cooking session
- Climate-conscious, budget-friendly recipes
- A welcoming space for beginners
- Stories and insights from KERB+ chefs about building a food business
- A shared meal at the end of the class
Whether you’re looking to cook more confidently, meet new people, or explore how food connects to social impact, this is a great place to start.
Who we are
About Student Social Enterprise
Student Social Enterprise is a hub for UCL students wanting to build social impact ventures, collaborate with community partners and scale ideas. Based in Students’ Union UCL, we exist to create a culture of social entrepreneurship at UCL. We support students from idea to impact through programmes that build practical skills, foster community development and create meaningful networking opportunities.
About KERB+
KERB+ is a social enterprise creating pathways into street food entrepreneurship for people from underrepresented backgrounds. As part of the wider KERB network, KERB+ exists to make the food industry more inclusive and accessible. Through structured programmes, mentoring and real trading opportunities, they support founders from idea to income — helping build sustainable businesses, financial independence and long-term social mobility.
About Hackney School of Food
Hackney School of Food is a community cookery school dedicated to improving food education and access across East London. Based in Hackney, they exist to empower children, families and community groups with the confidence and skills to cook healthy, affordable meals. Through hands-on classes and community programmes, they foster food knowledge, wellbeing and resilience — creating lasting impact at both household and community level.
FAQs
- Do I need to be an expert in cooking or know a lot about Food systems?
Not at all. Classes will be accesible and aimed at all skill levels, with a chance to work on basic knife and technical skills, as well as perfecting the recipes on that day.
Can't make this date? Check out our upcoming classes here.