Year 10 Cook and Capture!

Esta Ganci

Food Studies Teacher

Inspired by our recent staff Professional Development session on student agency, the Food Studies teaching team collaboratively developed the Cook and Capture Challenge to foster student ownership, encourage independent thinking, and integrate practical cooking skills with creative expression and reflective learning.

Our Year 10 Food Studies students participated in a dynamic peer teaching project designed to develop both their culinary and communication skills. 

Working in small groups, students researched, planned, filmed, and evaluated their own cooking skills demonstrations with a Year 7 audience in mind. The instructional videos covered techniques such as correct knife skills, making a French omelette, decorating cupcakes and cooking French toast.  After presenting their demonstrations to the class and receiving peer feedback, the top two videos were selected by student vote.

The project culminated in a hands-on peer teaching session where Year 7 students used the winning demonstrations to cook the recipes themselves. The task provided an engaging and authentic opportunity for leadership, collaboration, and skill-building across year levels.

Students from Year 7 - Joel, Paige, Suhaib, and Zoe - helped trial our instructional videos. Here's what they had to say about the experience:

Suhaib Siddiq 

Year 7

This has been an amazing experience - I really enjoyed it. I think the French toast video was really good, the instructions were clear - and it was also clear how much I love French toast! Getting away from the sugar and into a healthier option, we made a French omelette. It was salty and gooey and the layers of egg perfectly complimented the coriander garnish. So far, I believe that this was my best ever lesson in Year 7, and I definitely recommend this for anyone who loves food, laughs and a good time!

Zoe Mason

Year 7

This cooking experience was amazing. I loved using the videos and the food that we made. The recipes were great, and I will be using them at home. Thank you so much!

Paige Tartaggia 

Year 7

I thought that it was such a fun activity to do- to get a younger year level to watch a video on how to make a food and then make it. I thought that the videos were very helpful and fun, the biscuits were warm and soft, and the pancakes were very fluffy and light. If I could, I would do it again.