A SOCIAL enterprise about to run a new kitchen skills course in Bradford hopes new jobs will soon be on the menu thanks to £9,890 Big Lottery funding.

The money from the Reaching Communities Fund will help buy all the equipment needed to run a rolling 12-week Cooking Up Skills course for unemployed clients from Horton Housing Training Centre.

The trainees will get hands-on kitchen experience under the watchful eye of professional chef Robert Black, 39, who already runs Horton Housing's outside catering business, Chef's Kitchen.

He will be making sure the trainees use their time in his busy kitchen to get ready for the world of work - learning new skills and building up self-confidence that will impress potential employers.

The funding was awarded to b@se (Bradford @ social enterprise), which is part of Horton Housing Association, to help develop the course which will be run from a professional catering unit in the city.

Those on the course will learn about general food production and presentation, food hygiene and safety and how to cook healthy, tasty meals. The training will also help them develop a range of skills such as team working, budgeting, computer skills and time keeping.

Mr Black, who has worked in fine dining all over the world, including his native Scotland, Rutland, the Channel Islands and France, said the training course will be a pathway to employment and everyone who completes the course will leave with a portfolio, accredited training and a reference.

During the course, the trainees will be producing a range of quality food for outside catering, buffet orders, lunch offers and afternoon tea - and possibly farmers' markets.

Mr Black said: “This is no picnic! Working in a busy kitchen requires a lot of demanding skills, which will be useful to job seekers in any industry.

“I will expect the same professional standards in my kitchen as I would in any kitchen I have worked in. I expect people to turn up on time, work hard, dress and act appropriately and work together to produce excellent food and meet orders.”

He added: "I'm hoping they will be offered jobs in professional kitchens but the general work ethos will be invaluable for wherever they want to find work. But if you have a backpack and a knife box you can work anywhere in the world."

Trainees on the course will also be able to get access to other skill opportunities to help them find work including ESOL, numeracy and literacy courses and help preparing their CVs and interviews."