Be in the Kitchen Specialist Cookery School
Approved Duke of Edinburgh's Award Activity Provider (AAP)
"Starting Off" Online Cookery Course for Beginners
RELAUNCH 2026: COMPLETELY UPGRADED WITH EXCITING NEW COURSE CONTENT!
Starting Off is a perfect Beginner Cooking Course with practical, healthy and fun recipes for teenagers completing their DofE.
This course includes 6 videos containing over 3 1/2 hours of professional teaching with 12+ recipes that can be done over 3 months (13 weeks) to fit with your Duke of Edinburgh's Skill requirements. However, please check with your DofE Leader before booking!
Have fun learning to cook at home with this Beginner Chef Course using the recipes and online videos which include all the information you will need. Here you can enjoy one of the best online cooking classes for beginners.
My daughter completed the Starting Off cooking course as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award. The course taught her some brilliant basic recipes which she enjoyed cooking and the whole family enjoyed eating! I would LOVE to use this cookery school in the future to help develop mine or my families cookery skills and I would 100% recommend. Thank you!!!
My daughter completed the Duke of Edinburgh Starting Off course with Be and really enjoyed it. She could already cook, but there were lots of helpful videos and tips that helped her improve and I'm hoping she'll go back to the resources and continue to improve further. Great support from Be and we're looking forward to her now starting a second 12 week course 'Cakes for Cash', so that we can enjoy tasting those recipes too!
Does this sound like you?
You'd like to learn about food that is good for my health ✔️
You want to learn how to start cooking from scratch ✔️
You want to be able to cook for my family and friends ✔️
You want to learn how to cook real food, but fast! ✔️
You'd like some step-by-step cooking lessons ✔️
You've not got much time to spare ✔️
You've never cooked before! ✔️
You need to complete your DofE skills and want to learn something useful ✔️
Watch the Starting off for Beginners Cooking Course introduction:
What You'll Learn in this Starting Off for Beginners Online Cookery Course
Tomato Sauce and Bacon
Red lentil & Vegetable Soup
Burgers, Mayo and...
...Coleslaw!
How to Use Pre-Made Puff Pastry
How to Use Pre-Made Puff Pastry
All About Eggs!
Puff Pastry
Sausage Roll
Burgers, Mayo and Colesaw
Eggs on Toast
Omelette Wrap
Home-made Pot Noodles
Ice Cream
Focaccia and Guacamole
Focaccia and...
...Guacamole!
Why Choose Be In The Kitchen?
Other online cooking courses
Recipes Only
Generic videos with limited support
Lack of DofE experience
Limited Nutrition Knowledge
Lack of adaptability
Be In The Kitchen
Professional chef tuition
Step-by-step instructional videos with great wider support
Designed for students gaining DofE experience
Nutrition Therapist
Dietary, allergen and SEND adaptations available
FAQ'S
Can my child do this if they are younger than a teenager? (e.g. 11yrs old)
Absolutely, especially if they have done some cooking before. However, depending on the competence of your child, it is best to oversee them, particularly when they start.
Will this course teach them how to be safe in the kitchen?
Yes, it will. Kitchen organisation is a high priority. There are also information sheets with specifics of kitchen safety in the front of the recipe packs.
Will they learn the basics of food hygiene so they don't get food poisoning?
Absolutely, yes! I talk about food hygiene and how to stay safe regularly-- there is also an information sheet included and guidelines from a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
How long will each cooking session take?
Difficult to be precise here because when you are learning to cook, the most important thing is to take your time and not rush. It could be anything from 1-2 hours or more, depending on the student. It usually takes cooking a recipe 3 times to become a lot more confident and time-efficient.
How long are the videos?
They vary from approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. You can watch them first or cook-along with them.
How long will I have access to the recipes?
For life! Once you have booked the course, you will be given the videos and recipe pack for life, so you can remake these beginner recipes as much as you like!
Can my teenager do this on their own?
Yes! But you know your teenager very well, and if you think that a bit of guidance at the start would be helpful, then give it!
My teenager has never cooked before, are you sure this course is suitable and will they be safe?
Definitely, we start at the beginning and work through everything very carefully and clearly.
Can this course count towards my teenager's DofE Skills?
Yes, typically. This course includes 6 videos containing over 3 1/2 hours of professional teaching with 12+ recipes that can be done over 3 months (13 weeks) to fit with your Duke of Edinburgh's Skill requirements. However, please check with your DofE Leader before booking!
Can the recipes be adapted for gluten-free or dairy-free diets?
Yes, I always try to offer dietary adaptations where I can for each of my recipes. I'm also happy for you to make the change yourself if you feel confident, but if you're unsure, please ask me for help with this, as sometimes GF/DF ingredients can be problematic! Contact me here or at [email protected]
Learn to Cook from Scratch When You Want
You can learn to cook at home, uni or wherever there is a kitchen. Choose which day and what time suits you.
Simply watch the videos and follow the recipes to become a truly competent and confident cook.
You will have the videos and recipes for life, so there is no rush!
You can learn to cook at home, uni or wherever there is a kitchen. Choose which day and what time suits you.
Simply watch the videos and follow the step-by-step cooking lessons and learn beginner cooking techniques to become a truly competent and confident cook.
You will have the videos and recipes for life, so there is no rush!
Enjoy Delicious, Home-cooked Meals Made with Ease
These recipes have been tried and tested for over 8 years. The recipes work and the students (and parents) really enjoy them!
Get your friends to book in too and enjoy cooking together!
Beginner Cooking Skills For Everyone
These courses were originally set up for DofE students, but they are fantastic for so many others including younger children with adult supervision, home-schooling students and parents and adults who would like some excellent value professional cookery lessons from the convenience of their own homes.
I'm really proud of my experience which has given me the tools to support you all
If you’re finding yourself nodding along to all this, you’re not alone…
My purpose in life is to teach people (young and old) to cook and I love it!
My students learn, using professional chef skills, how to cook amazing recipes that are simple, fun and rewarding.
I'm a specialist teacher because I have an extraordinary background and I focus on teaching with nutrient-dense ingredients for great health.
In 2022 I qualified as a nutrition therapist because I know how powerful food is and I want to be in the best health myself and to pass that on to my students. I can now be sure that I am offering the best tuition, providing recipes that are not only delicious but are nutrient-focussed.
Introducing the Starting Off Cookery Course for Beginners
This course is ideal for anyone, including the following:
Holiday Cooking: for kids
Home Schooling: for parents and children
Off to Uni or Leaving Home: for young adults
Parents: learn to cook fresh food for your family
Want to Feel Healthier? : Learn how to avoid highly processed food
Fast Fresh Food: Learn how cooking at home can be faster than a takeaway.
It's also perfect for teenagers doing the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) award in the UK and abroad (including Australia) as it is designed to run over 3 months or you can add my other courses together for a 6 or 12 month course.
Here’s what you’ll get when you book a Starting Off Cooking Course:
01
Instant Access
As soon as you book your course you can get going, with instant access to the recipes and videos. After you have finished you will have access to the videos for life.
02
Dietary Adaptions
All courses are suitable for all diets. Just let me know when you fill in your registration form and I will make sure you have the appropriate recipes to suit your needs. I am a specialist teacher in gluten and dairy-free diets.
03
Recommendations
I strongly recommend purchasing an A4 display folder to put the recipes in, you can create your own personal cookbook of favourite recipes with the wonderful photos of your own cooking. This will be a book to treasure for life.
Starting Off Cooking Courses (with videos for life) available from £60!
Ready to Start Off your Cooking Journey?
Please come and join me in my kitchen! Be x
See what others have to say about this course:
Thank you so much for the Award and I loved this course. The food was amazing and I have already made some of the recipes again.
Thanks for the DoE course that our daughter Louisa has just completed. She has enjoyed following the recipes and the videos were particularly helpful. I have watched a few videos with her and love your presentation style. Your enthusiasm is infectious!
Thank you for all the delicious recipes. Mina enjoyed the courses.
Still not sure?
Try my free "I can Cook Video"
Download my free cookery video teaching teenagers to cook and enjoy it!
Plan a day, print the recipes and book your online shop. Leave your teenager with me and the ingredients in your kitchen. Be patient and enjoy a miracle meal!
Cook just one recipe or a whole meal. Suitable for all diets.
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Be in the Kitchen Specialist Cookery School, Leatherhead, Surrey
Email: [email protected]
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