Brechin High School pupils who have been on a cooking academy course have catered for and served 55 paying customers including their families and teachers at Kookaburras restaurant in Forfar.
The young people, most of whom are school leavers this summer, have been working with the Angus Youth Strategy multi-agency resource teams for 10 weeks, in partnership with Kookaburras.
Professionals trained them in front-of-house skills and chef expertise.
The course aims to build self-esteem and confidence in young people while increasing their employability with qualifications such as first aid, food hygiene and youth achievement awards.
Sarah Brown, who runs the course with fellow development workers Kath Garvin and Alistair Jelks, said, “It is an enjoyable part of our work to see the difference that being on cooking academy can make to a young person’s life whether that be a raise of self-esteem or finding a sense of pride and achievement in themselves, resulting in them going on to employment or further education.”
Kookaburras owners Darren and Susan Hill were impressed with the pupils’ standard and commitment, saying, “The group have worked hard and really bonded as a team, working to a high standard in training and on the night.”
The group have also raised money for Cancer Research UK by conducting a raffle, with a prize of dinner for two at Kookaburras.