FAQs

Why should I study GCSE Food preparation & nutrition?

GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition is an exciting and creative course which focuses on practical cooking skills to ensure students develop a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. At its heart, this qualification focuses on nurturing students' practical cookery skills to give them a strong understanding of nutrition. Food preparation skills are integrated into five core topics:

• Food, nutrition and health

• Food science

• Food safety

• Food choice

• Food provenance

Who will teach me GCSE Food preparation & nutrition?

We aim not to share classes and you will be taught by the same teacher in both Year 10 and Year 11. This will provide you with a consistent and familiar approach throughout your GCSE course.

What specification does the GCSE Food preparation & nutrition follow?

We will follow the AQA GCSE Food preparation & nutrition. For access to the full specification please follow the link.

GCSE Food preparation & Nutrition specification

How will I be assessed in GCSE Food preparation & nutrition?

You will sit a written paper worth 50% of your grade. The paper is worth 100 marks and will be sat at the end of year 11. The paper is made up of multiple choice questions (20 marks) and five longer questions with multiple sub questions (80marks).

You will also complete 2 NEA's (Non exam assessments)

• Task 1: Food investigation (30 marks) this will test your understanding of the working characteristics, functional and chemical properties of ingredients.

• Task 2: Food preparation assessment (70 marks) This will test your knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to the planning, preparation, cooking, presentation of food and application of nutrition related to the chosen task. You will prepare, cook and present a final menu of three dishes within a single period of no more than three hours, planning in advance how this will be achieved.

How it's assessed

• Task 1: Written or electronic report (1,500–2,000 words) including photographic evidence of the practical investigation.

• Task 2: Written or electronic portfolio including photographic evidence. Photographic evidence of the three final dishes must be included.

What will I learn throughout the course?

• Food, nutrition and health

• Food science

• Food safety

• Food choice

• Food provenance.

The range of food and ingredients you will study will reflect the recommended guidelines for a healthy diet based on the main food commodity groups. Food groups include:

• bread, cereals, flour, oats, rice, potatoes and pasta

• fruit and vegetables (fresh, frozen, dried, canned and juiced)

• milk, cheese and yoghurt

• meat, fish, eggs, soya, tofu, beans, nuts and seeds

• butter, oil, margarine, sugar and syrup.

You will also study 12 skill groups of food preparation

• General practical skills (weigh & measure, prepare ingredients & equipment, select & adjust cooking times, test for readiness, judge & modify sensory properties)

• Knife skills ( fruit & vegetables, meat , fish or alternatives)

• Preparing fruit & vegetables

• Use of the cooker (grill, oven)

• Use of equipment (blender, food processor, mixer, pasta machine, microwave oven)

• Cooking methods (water based methods using the hob, dry heat & fat based methods using the hob)

• Prepare, combine & shape

• Sauce making (starch based, reduction, emulsion)

• Tenderise & marinate

• Dough (making a dough - bread, pastry & pasta, shaping & finishing)

• Raising agents (egg, chemical, steam, biological)

• Setting mixtures (removal of heat, protein)

Is there a written exam for GCSE Food preparation & nutrition?

Yes, the written paper is worth 50% of the overall GCSE. The exam is worth 100 marks and lasts for 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Do I have to provide all my own ingredients and apron for GCSE food preparation & nutrition?

Yes students will need to supply all their own ingredients for all practical work. It is also recommended that students practice their final menu dishes at home in preparation for the NEA2 practical assessment. An apron will be provided from school. However, it is highly recommended that students have access to a pair of digital weighing scales at home as ingredients will need to be weighed out actually at home in advance of the lesson.

How much notice will I have to get my ingredients?

This will depend on timetabling of lessons, however I will endeavour to give at least a week's notice on ingredients needed.

Will I be practically cooking every lesson?

Students will not be cooking every lesson. Theory work carries a larger weighing over practical and therefore it is likely that students will carry out practical work once a fortnight, however this can be more depending on the unit being taught.

How can I succeed in GCSE Food preparation & nutrition?

In order to be a successful GCSE Food preparation & nutrition student all you need is enthusiasm, creativity, resilience, determination, independence, curiosity, and be willing to embrace challenge !

You will be provided with all of the necessary resources to support you but ultimately it will be down to you to make the most of them. Your teacher will do everything they can to facilitate your learning but the responsibility to take on board and apply advice is ultimately down to you.

You will need to be prepared to spend some time, out of lessons, consolidating the learning that has occurred in class and revisiting terminology, techniques and skills regularly. You will also need to be willing to practice your skills and dishes at home to ensure that they are assessment ready.

Can I still study GCSE Food preparation & nutrition if I have food allergies, intolerances or am vegan?

Yes you can still study Food Preparation and Nutrition if you have a food allergy, intolerance or are vegan. However, I would like you to come and speak with me regarding this so that I can explain how we would need to adapt certain practical lessons to best support you.

What can I do once I have completed the course?

People with food preparation & nutrition skills and knowledge usually have an advantage over people without them. They stand out as self sufficient, well organised, and creative and disciplined people, with broad and exciting horizons. Taking GCSE Food preparation & nutrition means you will:

• Add an extra dimension to your personal skills profile which will impress anyone who reads your CV

• Have the confidence to push yourself out of your comfort zone and experience new opportunities and try new things

• Be able to study AS, A level and Vocational Food preparation, catering and nutrition courses to further your knowledge of the subject

• Find it easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle as you move into adulthood and life away from home.

• Feel more confident to be self sufficient as you consider life away from home.

Am I allowed to choose more than 1 CAPA subject for my GCSE options?

Yes. You are being given 2 free option choices, although you will choose 4 initially. This is to ensure that you have a backup option should one of your chosen options not run. The free choice and no option blocks will allow you to select more than 1 CAPA subject should you wish.