In this article, we’re going to answer the big questions you may have about the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE, so let’s get going!
Why choose GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition?
In today's health-conscious world, there is perhaps the most information out there about food and its benefits, but also the most confusion. With so much choice available and so many diets out there shouting about things like clean eating and macros, it can be difficult to find and prepare food that’s delicious and has real nutritional benefits.
The Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE encourages students to look at both how food is prepared and what it does in/to our bodies. The course covers both the science and the function of ingredients as well as helping you to develop practical cooking skills.
Interestingly the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE has a huge crossover with other GCSE subjects, in the course, you’ll cover topics that link to biology, chemistry, geography, sport and religious studies to name a few!
If you love to get creative and traditional written exams aren’t the thing for you, then the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE allows you to get half your grade in the kitchen, by showing your skills and cooking mind-blowing dishes. We spoke to a couple of students that took the course and the big takeaways (no pun intended) was that they were impressed by the freedom they were given to experiment!
If you’re still not convinced that the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE is right for you, then it’s worth considering that, in 2020 alone the food and drink manufacturing contributed £28 billion to the UK’s economy. And whatever happens, people will always need to eat!
Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE: How are you assessed?
In the GCSE there are two distinct areas: the Non-Examination Assessment (NEA) and a written exam.
- NEA: Food preparation assessment (50%) gives you a chance to really showcase your cooking skills. You’ll be presented with a task by the exam board which gives you an opportunity to explore the cuisine of a particular culture or dietary group through the preparation of a number of dishes, this all happens in the space of a three-hour cooking exam.
- Written exam (50%) - this 1 hour 45 minute exam is made up of a mix of long-form and multiple-choice questions. You’ll be quizzed on topics:
Food, nutrition and health
Food science
Food safety
Food choice
Food provenance
Is the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE easy?
Think Student rates the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE as one of the easiest GCSE options to pass, partly because there are no hidden surprises and because a large part of the GCSE is coursework. It's also considered one of the funnest GCSE’s out there and we all know students' enjoyment and satisfaction lead to grades and more pass marks!
What jobs can you get with a Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE?
If you’ve taken (and loved) your Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE, congratulations because you’ve just opened the door to a whole load of careers. We’ve listed a load we think you might have an interest in below:
Biochemist
Branding
Caterer
Chef
Dietician
Farming and agriculture
Food microbiologist
Food retailer
Food scientist
Food stylist
Food technologist
Nutritionist
Product development
Quality control
Sports science
You could also turn your talents to social media, there’s a huge foodie community out there all you need to do is find your niche!
How can we help?
Unfortunately, at the moment we don't have any resources that will help you get a delicious grade in your Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE. But, we do have something that might help you decide whether a Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE is right for you. Our pathfinder quiz will help you work out what type of career you’re suited to so you can see if completing a Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE will help!
Our aim at Springpod is to empower you students so we’re going to point you to some resources that might be able to offer a little more help! Have a look at the list below:
