We are excited to share that our six-week pilot of the ‘In-the-Mixer’ One-Pot Cooking Class has been successfully completed, bringing families from Glasgow’s Southside together to cook, learn, and enjoy nutritious meals in a welcoming, therapeutic environment.

Hosted at Clincarthill Parish Church, the programme was designed to support local families in developing essential cooking and food hygiene skills, while fostering confidence in the kitchen. Participants cooked alongside our talented Community Chef, Rona Proudfoot, who led the group through the preparation of a range of healthy, culturally, and religiously inclusive meals each week. The sessions also offered the opportunity to share a communal meal, strengthening social bonds and creating a sense of unity among participants.

Across the six weeks, families not only learned practical cooking skills but also gained valuable insights into sustainable shopping, budgeting, and reducing food waste. Many participants reported positive changes at home, with new dishes being added to their family meals and children becoming more open to trying nutritious foods. The joy of preparing meals together, coupled with the fun of sharing them with fellow community members, made each session something to look forward to.

While parents were busy learning in the kitchen, young people took part in our vibrant youth club, where they engaged in fun and educational activities focused on health and nutrition. From crafting to active games and even interactive food preparation, the youth programme provided an exciting complement to the cooking sessions, with everyone coming together to enjoy a meal at the end of each class.

The response from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with one parent sharing:

“It was so great to access something as a family. My 7-year-old ate all her vegetables for the first time!”

Whilst another added:

“It helped me with how to save money & what kind of food and ingredients are cheap”

The response from volunteers on the programme has been equally as encouraging, with one volunteer saying:

‘‘It’s been a really diverse range of voices in there, diverse range of people, and we’ve all just had a massive laugh and it’s been really wonderful and I’d love to do some more work again with the Queen’s Park FC Foundation!”

This feedback highlights how the programme has encouraged healthier eating habits while also creating meaningful experiences for families to bond over food, and volunteers to help make a difference and feel inspired in their community.

As we look back on this pilot, the Foundation is incredibly proud of the community connections that have been formed, the skills that have been developed, and the shared meals that have brought smiles to so many faces. The Foundation remains committed to promoting health, wellbeing, and inclusivity, and we look forward to building on this success in future sessions.

Jade West, Community Development Manager & Project Lead on the programme said:

“I am thrilled with how our one-pot cooking sessions ran. I feel we have truly demonstrated the value of providing dignified, community-driven meals and encouraged participants to consider their approach to food and budgeting in a manageable, quick and easy way through Chef Rona’s top tips especially. Rona has been amazing; we are so thankful to her and our Volunteers who have helped make this all possible! 

One of the most significant insights for everyone though, was just how much we can learn from each other, celebrating our diversity, and enjoying one another’s company. It created a rewarding learning experience for everyone involved and I am eager to see the future of the Foundation’s work in tackling food poverty.”

Over the course of the sessions, the Foundation documented the impact of our One-Pot Cooking class which you can now watch below! Learn all about the impact and the inspiring story of this programme first-hand, from participants, volunteers, staff, and our Community Chef!