Royal Academy of Culinary Arts' Adopt a School Trust

Who we are

Adopt a School (AAS) was founded in 1990 by the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA), a membership organisation of the country’s finest head chefs and hospitality professionals who help to make up our volunteer army.

Our vision is that every child learns about food in a holistic sense and has the confidence to eat well and be healthy and happy. Our programme teaches children, about food and cooking, food provenance and sustainability, healthy eating, nutrition and hygiene and the importance of eating together. 

Chefs and hospitality professionals deliver high quality, healthy food education to over 15,000 children every year in primary schools across the country. Sessions are delivered in the classroom and sometimes in restaurants and farms. We have devised a course of 1 session per term, 3 sessions per year, delivered to the same year group. The lessons are designed to teach children the basics of food and cookery without the need for cooking facilities – which most primary schools lack. All that is required is the classroom. Sessions include taste and sensory, practical cookery, bread-making and front of house.

Although most of our sessions are delivered voluntarily by RACA members or other hospitality professionals, we also employ an on-staff team of 4 chefs (full and part time), who deliver the programme to children around the country.  Areas covered specifically are: the North West; North East; Birmingham and the West Midlands; and London. Other areas of Great Britain are supported by the volunteers.