Author Archives: Becky

When the departmental computer was wheeled into my FT room in Hemel Hempstead, my heart sank. It was on a trolley and was parked in front of the washing machine and tumble drier – most inconveniently. I was less than impressed as this heralded the introduction of a new curriculum where practical cookery took secondContinue reading “Tech problems…”

It’s been quite a week! In amongst all our normal commitments we had a lovely day in Norwich, doing a bit of Christmas shopping and having lunch with our daughter. “Bread Source” make delicious focaccias and I chose a quinoa salad to go with mine and to share with Helen. I’d forgotten how tasty itContinue reading “Where did that week go?”

Earlier this week I read an excellent article by Tom Parker-Bowles about casseroles. He described the satisfaction of preparing all the ingredients, coating the meat before frying each piece to create a toasty crust and the long, slow cooking with wonderful smells permeating the house. I’d planned to tell you about my tagine, but theContinue reading “Change of plan.”

October half term is the perfect time to make mincemeat for Christmas as it needs several weeks to develop its flavour. I’m surprised so few people make their own, preferring to buy commercial jars. Recently I had a chat with a lady, whilst shopping in a local supermarket – she’d never made it and dislikesContinue reading “Get ahead!”

The last practical cookery room I worked in was tiny, so every inch of available space had to be utilised. It was designed to accommodate ten pupils and they worked happily cheek-by-jowl creating dishes to take home. Often the window sill became a useful storage area for their food to cool off before wrapping, soContinue reading “QI.”

Here in the east of England we’ve experienced an “Indian Summer” which I think might have now come to an end, but has really helped our growing efforts. The tomato plants went into the new greenhouse a little later than planned during a chilly spell so they were slow to get started. French beans tookContinue reading “Harvest Time.”

Keeping secrets is always a challenge. The most difficult one for me was a long time ago, when a pupil aged 14 asked me if I could keep hers. When she told me her situation I had to explain that this was too big for the two of us to deal with and I’d haveContinue reading “Pork pies?”

None of us like to walk past rows of empty shops, but recently we visited a Cambridgeshire town with so many and I was so shocked. Our little seaside town has been doing well – as shops have become empty they have filled quickly. Even the old Marks & Spencer building now has a newContinue reading “Use it or lose it!”

Recently I’ve sorted out my recipe books, twice. The results have been very noticeable as the shelves are no longer piled high with seldom used books. A large stack went to a charity shop last week, along with fabrics hoarded “just in case…” I’m not a fan of the radical de-cluttering proposed by celebrities butContinue reading “Stuff.”

It’s that time of year – when our young people take the step and move on to further education. For most of them it’s the first time they’ve lived away from home and take on all those responsibilities which parents provide. This week I was delighted to meet an ex-pupil who was so excited toContinue reading “Off they go!”