Cooking Nights at Scouts
Tell me more...
Each term at Topcliffe Scouts, we hold a cooking night for one of our Friday evening Troop meetings. The cooking nights are usually themed as 'International Cooking Nights'.
The way it works is each of our 3 Scout Patrols are assigned or choose a country of the world which becomes their country for the cooking night. We then research a dish or sometimes two dishes that originate from that country and the Scouts then cook that dish as a meal at the meeting.
Before each cooking night, in their patrols, Scouts are asked to research their country outside of the meetings in their own time. Research on their country can include facts & figures, other foods, the culture, food events, the geography, history and they can even bring in any foods / snacks associated with that country that they find.
The Scouts then share their findings in their Patrols to the rest of the Troop and once the dishes have been cooked, each Patrol tastes the other foods of the other Patrols.
We think that our 'International Cooking Nights' are a great way to involve Scouts in different cultures and ways of life. If you have culinary skills or like to learn about different countries then this kind of thing might be for you!
Below are the previous countries the Scouts have researched and cooked dishes from, including the all important recipes if you want a taste of a different culture. Enjoy.
Where have we covered so far?
View the map of the world below to find out which countries the Scouts have cooked dishes from so far on their International Cooking Nights. We hope to cover the cultures and foods of more countries in the future.
If the country is shaded in purple then we've done it!
View the map of the world below to find out which countries the Scouts have cooked dishes from so far on their International Cooking Nights. We hope to cover the cultures and foods of more countries in the future.
If the country is shaded in purple then we've done it!
Below are the countries we have done.
We'll leave you to the guess the country! |
Cooking Night Themes
So far these include the following:
|
If any of our Scouts or anyone else out there has any suggestions for countries or dishes that could be prepared within a 2 hour Friday evening meeting then please do let us know by completing the form on the contact us page. We'd love to hear from you on what you like to cook!
Below are the details and recipes of some of our previous cooking nights, which you are welcome to download from this website.
Below are the details and recipes of some of our previous cooking nights, which you are welcome to download from this website.
Latest Cooking Night at Scouts - St. Andrew's Theme
To celebrate St. Andrew's Day in Scotland, on Friday 29th November 2013, the Scouts held a St. Andrew's themed evening which included cooking, a quiz and presenting finding on St. Andrew to the rest of the Troop.
Each Patrol was tasked with preparing and cook the traditional St. Andrew's / Scottish dish of Haggis, Neeps and Tatties. (Neeps & Tatties being the Scottish term for Swede & Mash!)
Anyone know what Haggis is? The Scout's seemed to like it!
The Scouts also sampled some highland shortbread too!
Each Patrol was tasked with preparing and cook the traditional St. Andrew's / Scottish dish of Haggis, Neeps and Tatties. (Neeps & Tatties being the Scottish term for Swede & Mash!)
Anyone know what Haggis is? The Scout's seemed to like it!
The Scouts also sampled some highland shortbread too!
One Night - Triple Continents - Europe, Asia & Oceania
You could say that our autumn term International cooking night at Scouts was a real mix of cultures. Three very different countries from three very different continents.
The Scouts researched the foods, cultures, traditions and way of life of each of the three countries. The three countries on this occasion were Russia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
They then prepared dishes including Beef Stroganoff, Pork Bolognese and a spicy Chicken Curry from the three countries in Europe, Asia and Oceania.
The Scouts researched the foods, cultures, traditions and way of life of each of the three countries. The three countries on this occasion were Russia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
They then prepared dishes including Beef Stroganoff, Pork Bolognese and a spicy Chicken Curry from the three countries in Europe, Asia and Oceania.
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
Africa - A 3rd World Cooking Night
For our African 3rd world cooking night theme, the Scouts had to make their own pans and utensils! Patrols were provided with some washed out large food tins and some copper wire to make their own pans. One or two had also carved themselves a wooden spoon in their own time.
As it was a 3rd world theme, Scouts also had to prepare their dishes in an outdoor location, using the basic essentials and then had to cook over an open fire (nothing new then!).
On this occasion the two countries that were researched by the Patrols were Kenya & Morocco. The findings were presented at the meeting and then the cooking commenced!
* Recipes will be available here for download soon *
As it was a 3rd world theme, Scouts also had to prepare their dishes in an outdoor location, using the basic essentials and then had to cook over an open fire (nothing new then!).
On this occasion the two countries that were researched by the Patrols were Kenya & Morocco. The findings were presented at the meeting and then the cooking commenced!
* Recipes will be available here for download soon *
UK Cooking Night
Our UK cooking night gave the Scouts the opportunity to research the cultures and foods of the home nations and our neighbours from across the Irish sea. Each patrol prepared two traditional dishes for each of the chosen countries which can be downloaded below.

scotland_wales_ireland.docx | |
File Size: | 33 kb |
File Type: | docx |
European Cooking Night no.1
Our latest look at the cultures and foods of Europe saw the Scouts prepare different dishes which are the main dishes associated with their chosen country. The foods prepared were a traditional tasty Paella, a meaty Carbonara and juicy meatballs (not from Italy!).
More recipes from European countries coming soon. |

spain_italy_sweden.zip | |
File Size: | 38 kb |
File Type: | zip |
Puddings & Desserts

puddings_recipes.doc | |
File Size: | 60 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Sweet Treats
As well as preparing desserts, the Scouts have also made some tasty sweets in the past. As part of our 2012 Christmas programme and in a meeting a couple of years ago, the Scouts made their own sweets.
From coconut mice to peppermint creams, candied almonds to chocolate marzipan, confectionery is definitely something to whet any appetite! |

sweet_making_recipes.docx | |
File Size: | 23 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Troop Cooking Competition
In preparation for the District Cooking competition which was held in June 2013, each of the four Scout Troops in the District had to hold their own Troop competition to select 3 Scouts to represent each Group at the District competition.
We are pleased to say that 1st Topcliffe Scouts won the District competition for 2013 and are the current holders of the trophy. We will now go on to represent V.o.M District at the County finals competition in October.
More about the Cooking Competition here.
* Recipes from the competition will be available here for download after the final *
We are pleased to say that 1st Topcliffe Scouts won the District competition for 2013 and are the current holders of the trophy. We will now go on to represent V.o.M District at the County finals competition in October.
More about the Cooking Competition here.
* Recipes from the competition will be available here for download after the final *
Cooking on Camp
We also thought that we would add a collection of recipes that are great for all kinds of Scout camps. There are lots of ideas to see so why not download the recipes below.
Nothing beats traditional camp cooking!
Nothing beats traditional camp cooking!

cooking_camp_recipes.pdf | |
File Size: | 209 kb |
File Type: |

rocky_road_bananas.doc | |
File Size: | 49 kb |
File Type: | doc |
We advise that all young people should be fully supervised by a responsible adult or section leader when preparing and cooking any of the foods that are available on this page.
Where applicable, all content © Copyright 2013-2015 1st Topcliffe Scout Group, all rights reserved.
Disclaimer & Privacy | Sitemap | Home
Disclaimer & Privacy | Sitemap | Home