Over 50 Barking and Dagenham residents recently got a taste of working in the food sector at a recent event at Barking and Dagenham College.

The event showed attendees, most of whom were not currently working, how they could turn their passion for cooking, heritage recipes and cooking traditions into profitable businesses.

The event was delivered by Sacoma Food School in partnership with Barking and Dagenham Council.

Attendees left with fresh inspiration, as well as information on a range of upcoming specialist training opportunities, including:

• A one-week course covering the basics of working in a school kitchen, ending with a guaranteed interview with school catering company BD Together;
• A specialist Food Enterprise & Startup course on Fridays, including practical support to start a food business, including the fundamentals of food compliance and safety, and how to turn the first spark of an idea into a sustainable livelihood. Trainees who complete the course will be invited to join further start-up training, and may be eligible to apply for a grant to develop their business.  

Courses are for adult residents who aren’t currently working. Both programmes include an accredited Food Safety qualification, which is essential for any role in a professional kitchen.

The morning included presentations from professional cooks in school and community settings, a talk by an entrepreneur running a successful catering business and an interactive workshop from Sacoma about business opportunities, branding, packaging, retail readiness, and legal compliance.

One attendee from the local area said: “I came here thinking I’d just learn a few tips. I’m leaving knowing I can start something that belongs to me. This has completely changed my mindset.”

Cllr Sade Bright, Cabinet Member for Employment Skills and Aspiration, said: “We’re working hard to give our residents the opportunities they need to take part in Barking and Dagenham’s thriving food economy, with this programme being a big part of that.

“What’s really pleasing to see is the focus on heritage recipes and how these can be used to create a niche in what is a very competitive landscape.”

Perez Ochieng, CEO of Sacoma Food School, said: “Food can change everything, from how people see themselves to how they support their families.

“Many of today’s attendees came in unsure, nervous, and feeling stuck. They left smiling, inspired, and ready to take the next step. We don’t just teach food; we teach possibility. This is about rewriting what opportunity looks like in East London.

“We’re proud to be part of something that celebrates people’s strengths, their heritage and their potential. The energy in the room today proves that Barking & Dagenham has the next generation of food entrepreneurs right here.”

The First Taste event was funded by the government’s Trailblazer programme, which is designing and delivering tailored approaches to address employment barriers. It was delivered through the council’s Good Food Partnership that is working to develop a healthy, sustainable and diverse food environment, including establishing a thriving network of local food businesses.

Residents wanting to know more about current training opportunities and check if they are eligible to participate can speak to the BD Works team.

The Professional Cookery course is a five-day course from 6-11 November, including interviews. The course will be held at the Adult College.

The Food Enterprise and Start-ups course takes place on Fridays from 31 October until early December. The course will be delivered by Sacoma Food School at Barking & Dagenham College’s Technical Skills Academy in Barking.