Health, Food and Textile Technologies

INTRODUCTION 

Students studying Health, Food and Textile Technologies (HFTT) are provided with an inspiring, rigorous and practical curriculum.

As part of their work with food, students are taught how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating, instilling a love of cooking within students. Cooking may be considered as one of the greatest expressions of human creativity. We consider learning to cook as a crucial life skill that enables students to feed themselves and others affordably and well, now and later on in life. Classroom activities during Hospitality sessions include; learning about ingredients, understanding the properties of foods, investigating and tasting products, being creative, engaging in practical activities using a range of skills and processes and assessing products and performance. 

STAFF

Mrs C McCauley | Faculty Head | Health, Food and Textile Technologies

Curriculum

Broad General Education

In this subject you will have the opportunity to learn about:

Cookery Skills Techniques and Processes
You will develop 17 specialist skills while preparing simple to complex dishes. There will be an emphasis on culinary knife skills, presentation of dishes and following complex recipes.

Understanding and Using Ingredients
You will develop an understanding of a variety of ingredients, including the importance of seasonal and locally produced foods in relation to health and sustainability. You will also study Food Safety and Hygiene, including food handling, storage, and reheating.

Organisational Skills for Cooking
You will engage in the practical planning and organisation of executing recipes, including time management, preparation, presentation, and clean-up. 

Senior Phase 

When engaging in a qualification for National 4 or 5 in Practical Cookery, your learning activities will focus on preparing you to undergo a practical cookery exam set by the SQA. 

Learning Experiences

Your studies in Hospitality are taught through engaging practical experiences, including:

  • Practical cookery, as an individual and part of a group;
  • Using digital technologies to watch and follow video tutorials and written instruction;
  • Industry visits to Restaurants and Cookery Schools;
  • Evaluating and exploring dishes and ingredients through the senses of taste and smell;
  • Professional Masterclasses with visiting Chefs to develop culinary, knife and presentation skills.

Life & Work

Studying Hospitality and Practical Cookery is crucial to the personal and professional development of a young person, as you move towards living a sustainable life in relation to yourself, your family, community, and wider society. Through your study in this subject, you will gain invaluable skills which will prepare you for life as an independent adult as well as introduce you to skills and understandings which may lead you towards a career in the Hospitality Industry, such as:

  • Developing cooking skills essential for daily life;
  • Understanding how to develop a healthy lifestyle; including meal planning, buying and preparation;
  • Understanding the importance of Health & Safety for yourself and others;
  • Developing skills for employment;
  • Develop confident and independent individuals.

Possible Careers

  • Chef
  • Catering Manager
  • Restaurant Manager
  • Dietician
  • Consumer Advisor
  • Market Researcher
  • Air Cabin Crew
  • Food Technician
  • Teacher of Home Economics, Hospitality or Cookery

Resources