What is the Square Food Foundation?

The Square Food Foundation is a cookery school and community kitchen based at The Park in Knowle, where people from all walks of life can go to learn how to cook good food from scratch.

They provide free training for adults with learning disabilities or mental health issues, drop-in cookery classes for over 55’s, a community lunch club as well as working with schools, charities and community groups in Bristol. They also deliver masterclasses, children’s cookery courses and private events, the profits from which are used to fund the charity.

The Square Food Foundation is a very deserved winner of this year’s Crumbs Award for Best Cookery School.

Who’s behind the Square Food Foundation?

The Square Food Foundation was founded by chef, Barny Haughton, back in 1998. It is run by a very small team and supported by volunteers. As a charity, they rely heavily on the assistance of volunteers to help deliver the cookery classes, prepare for events, maintain the small garden and keep the kitchen running.

As a volunteer, I can vouch for just how rewarding and enjoyable an experience it is and how passionate the team is for helping the community to understand the importance of cooking the best food they can within their means.

What makes it great?

Not only do the Square Food Foundation teach essential life skills, they are providing young people the ability to access employment, helping older, isolated people to enjoy the company of others and using the power of cooking and eating together to help with recovery, start conversations and build confidence. Not only that, but they do this with very limited resources, growing what produce they can and relying on donations of unwanted or surplus food.

How can you support the Square Food Foundation?

As well as volunteering, Square Food Foundation would benefit greatly from a donation towards running the community classes and the upkeep of the kitchen. You can also support them by hiring them to provide team-building sessions and private parties or to cater for an event.