Suppertime superhero
You’ll need
- Tables
- Oven
- Pans
- Chopping boards
- Knives
- Mixing bowls
- Spoons
- Buckets
- Washing up liquid
- Ingredients (see recipe)
- Tea towels
- Food waste bags
- A bin
- Sponges
- A colander
Before you begin
- Check whether anyone has allergies or dietary requirements and adapt the recipe accordingly.
- Set up three stations with appropriate equipment: the prep station, the cooking station, and the washing up station.
- Everyone should divide into three team. One team will start at each station. Teams can rotate around as the activity goes on, or the activity can be repeated so that everyone gets a turn on each station.
The prep station
- At the prep station, everyone should chop and prepare the ingredients according to the recipe card. Anything that is ready can be passed to the team at the cooking station.
- Once the ingredients have been prepared, everyone should help to clear the station and give dirty items to the team at the washing up station.
- Once everyone has finished their own prep jobs, they should ask members of other teams if they would like any help.
The cooking station
- At the cooking station, everyone should use the ingredients prepared by the prep station, and put the meal together according to the recipe card.
- Once the cooking has been done, everyone should help to clear the station and give dirty items to the team at the washing up station.
- When the meal is ready, make sure the stove or oven is switched off. The cooking station team should serve it onto plates for everyone to eat while it is hot.
The washing up station
- At the washing up station, everyone should fill two buckets or washing up bowls with hot water, and a third with cold water. Place them in a line on top of a table. Add washing up liquid to the first two buckets. The first bucket will be to soak the items, the second for scrubbing them clean, and the third for rinsing off the washing up liquid.
- Prepare a bin bag for rubbish and one for food waste
- Set aside a space at the end where clean items can be dried.
- Everyone should form a conveyor belt, first scraping the plates and separating rubbish, then soaking, scrubbing and rinsing, and finally drying them with tea towels.
Reflection
This activity needed you to be independent. What parts of preparing and cooking your meal do you find most challenging? Have you learned any new skills or become better at things you have done previously? When your meal was finished, you washed everything up. Why is it important to clean up after you cook? What might happen if you left a stack of dirty plates in a messy kitchen for a few days?
This activity was also about learning how to live healthily by creating a meal from a mixture of ingredients. How did your meal taste? Do you think it was a healthy and balanced meal? If you cooked the recipe again, would you add or substitute any ingredients?
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
- Fires and stoves
Make sure anyone using fires and stoves is doing so safely. Check that the equipment and area are suitable and have plenty of ventilation. Follow the gas safety guidance. Have a safe way to extinguish the fire in an emergency.
- Sharp objects
Teach young people how to use sharp objects safely. Supervise them appropriately throughout. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.
- Cooking
Teach young people how to use cooking equipment safely. Supervise them appropriately throughout. Make sure it’s safe to use and follow manufacturers’ guidelines for use.
- Food
Remember to check for allergies, eating problems, fasting or dietary requirements and adjust the recipe as needed. Make sure you’ve suitable areas for storing and preparing food and avoid cross contamination of different foods. Take a look at our guidance on food safety and hygiene.
Choose a recipe to suit the ability of the group. Include more or less information on the recipe card. Consider doing a demonstration of the cooking techniques required before you begin.
If your meeting place does not have somewhere suitable for preparing food, this badge requirement can be completed at home. Use the suppertime superhero sheet to keep track of how everyone planned, cooked, and served the meal, and then washed up afterwards. All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
