Food and Nutrition
AQA GCSE Food preparation and nutrition
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition is an exciting and creative course which focuses on practical cooking skills to ensure students develop a thorough understanding of the science behind nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. At its heart, this qualification focuses on nurturing students' practical cookery skills to give them a strong understanding of nutrition.
What will students learn?
Students will develop food preparation skills which are integrated into five core topics:
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Food, nutrition and health
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Food science
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Food safety
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Food choice
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Food provenance.
Assessments
Paper 1: Food preparation and nutrition
What's assessed?
Theoretical knowledge of food preparation and nutrition from Sections 1 to 5.
How it's assessed
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Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
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100 marks • 50% of GCSE
Questions • Multiple choice questions (20 marks) • Five questions each with a number of sub questions (80 marks)
Paper 2: Non-exam assessment (NEA)
What's assessed?
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Task 1: Food investigation (30 marks) Students' understanding of the working characteristics, functional and chemical properties of ingredients.
Practical investigations are a compulsory element of this NEA task.
How it’s assessed:
Written or electronic report (1,500–2,000 words) including photographic evidence of the practical investigation.
What's assessed?
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Task 2: Food preparation assessment (70 marks) Students' knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to the planning, preparation, cooking, presentation of food and application of nutrition related to the chosen task.
Students will prepare, cook and present a final menu of three dishes within a single period of no more than three hours, planning in advance how this will be achieved.
How it’s assessed:
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Written or electronic portfolio including photographic evidence.
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Photographic evidence of the three final dishes must be included.
Upon completion of this course, students will be qualified to go on to further study, or embark on an apprenticeship or full-time career in the catering or food industries.
Students have three one-hour lessons a week.
Exam board: AQA GCSE Food preparation and nutrition
Progression pathways and careers
Upon completion of this course, students will be qualified to go on to further study, or embark on an apprenticeship or full-time career in the catering or food industries.
The AQA GCSE Food preparation and nutrition is designed to develop students understanding of the working characteristics, functional and chemical properties of ingredients. Students will also develop knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to the planning, preparation, cooking, presentation of food and application of nutrition related to chosen tasks.
The AQA GCSE Food preparation and nutrition may be followed by any student who is focused, able to undertake independent research, motivated and has a genuine interest in food, nutrition as well as developing transferable skills such as planning, communication, problem solving, and health & safety practices.
The AQA GCSE Food preparation and nutrition provides an opportunity for students to lay the foundation for further study, apprenticeships or a career beyond the obvious positions of a chef or food server, in the fields of nutrition, dietetics, research, health, fitness, social care, and entrepreneurship.
Useful links:
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/food/gcse/food-preparation-and-nutrition-8585/subject-content
Contact
Mrs. Yazdi – Food Technology Teacher
Mrs A. Gavartin – Head of Design & Technology
