LEADER

LEADER funding is part of the Rural Development Programme for England. It supports projects that create jobs, business growth and benefits to the rural economy.

The School of Artisan Food secured funding from LEADER for the project to:

The project converts an empty nearby space at The School of Artisan Food into a versatile training room that will enable larger numbers of visitors to learn about food, to enjoy its historical setting, to participate in short courses, attend lectures, learn how to run an artisan business, and enjoy foraging and tasting sessions, all around artisan food.

This new training facility is called the Barbara Curtis Training Room, opened by HR Lord Lieutenant Sir John Peace on 9th February 2022.

This project allowed The School of Artisan Food to create a versatile training space for local community groups, the wider public, full-time students on our Diploma and FdSC courses, which is accessible on the ground floor, opening to the historical courtyard. Learning how to make artisan foods, including baking, patisserie, cheese, ice cream, vienoisserie and other. As well as learning about food production from farm to fork.

The relationship and funding LEADER has provided, has allowed The School of Artisan to excel in these areas and provide a world class training facility, to help reach its wider goals. Through FE training, leisure courses, community outreach programmes, to be at the forefront of local efforts to tackle obesity, working with BCVS to provide amenities for the local area, and the education of food production methods with local school thorough varies projects.