Cooking Up Success: DISC’s Neurodivergent Interns Shine in the Kitchen

Written by Alex Newell.

Over the past academic year, our interns at DISC (Digital Independence Specialist College) have been putting their culinary skills to the test in a series of cooking workshops. Designed and delivered by Bounceback Food and taking place at Altogether Otherwise in Manchester, these workshops are more than just a chance to prepare delicious dishes—they are an opportunity to build life changing independence skills.

The sessions, which run weekly over four weeks, each half term, are filled with energy, creativity, and plenty of tasty smells wafting through the air. Each week brings a new recipe and fresh challenges, helping our neurodivergent interns grow in confidence and capability. Here’s a peek at the culinary journey they embarked on during the last half term block:

• Week One: Curry Creations
  The series kicked off with a warm and flavourful start as interns cooked up their own curries. This session introduced them to the art of balancing spices, measuring ingredients, and managing timing in the kitchen. For many, it was their first experience creating such a complex dish – they excelled in this challenge

• Week Two: Turkey Burgers
  The second session focused on crafting homemade turkey burgers. From forming patties to ensuring they were cooked to perfection, the interns developed hands-on experience with food preparation. Learning to handle raw ingredients and maintain food hygiene was a key takeaway.

• Week Three: Chicken Sushi
  In week three, things got a little more intricate with chicken sushi. Rolling the sushi was a fun challenge, and the interns showed immense patience and precision. This session also highlighted the importance of trying new foods, patience with cooking and expanding comfort zones—a big step for many participants.

• Week Four: Sweet and Savoury Oatcakes
  The final week was all about versatility as interns baked both sweet and savoury oatcakes. This session rounded off the programme beautifully, reinforcing skills like measuring, mixing, and following detailed recipes.

Building More Than Just Recipes

These workshops aren’t just about cooking—they were about empowerment. By learning to prepare their own meals, the interns gain confidence in their ability to take care of themselves. Cooking is an essential skill for everyday life, and these sessions showed how it can also be a source of pride, and even creativity.

For neurodivergent individuals, mastering such tasks can feel like a monumental achievement, and the impact goes beyond the kitchen. Improved problem-solving, better time management, and a growing sense of independence are just a few of the positive outcomes we’ve observed.

The team at Bounceback Food thoughtfully designed the workshops to be inclusive and supportive, ensuring all interns could engage at their own pace. Meanwhile, Altogether Otherwise provides a welcoming environment that encourages experimentation and learning.

A Bright Future Ahead

At DISC, we’re dedicated to equipping our interns with the tools they need to thrive. Programmes like this are a perfect example of how practical experiences can build independence while curating for a sense of community and accomplishment.

We’re incredibly proud of our interns for their hard work and creativity throughout the workshops. It’s clear that they’ve gained skills that will benefit them for years to come—and perhaps even a love for cooking!

A huge thank you to Bounceback Food for making this initiative such a success. We can’t wait to see what our interns cook up in the new year!