A DofE skill idea for teenagers that they’ll actually use!

DofE skills for teenagers | Cooking and life skills

The DofE Skills section is a great opportunity for teenagers to try something new, develop their confidence and learn an ability they can continue using long after their award is finished.

But what should they choose?

If you’re currently hearing, “I don’t know what I want to do for DofE,” don’t worry, I’ve got you covered: a pre-recorded cookery course that gives you a night off cooking each week!

What can you do for the DofE Skills section?

The great thing about the DofE Skills section is the variety of activities available.

Your teenager doesn’t have to choose something traditionally academic or sporty. They can choose a skill that interests them, challenges them or simply teaches them something they would like to be able to do. If they are moving onto a higher level, they can repeat the same skill but they will have to show that they have developed a deeper understanding.

So, why choose cooking?

Cooking is an incredibly useful skill for teenagers to learn and it’s something they’ll continue to use throughout their lives.

Learning to cook teaches teenagers how to …

Follow recipes and instructions
Prepare ingredients
Use kitchen equipment safely
Plan meals
Manage their time
Cook from scratch
Make sensible food choices
Become more independent

And there’s a bonus for parents…

Once they’re confident enough, they can start cooking dinner for the family.

Imagine getting one night off cooking every week while your teenager takes over the kitchen.

That’s a DofE skill with benefits for everyone!

How do you choose the right DofE skill?

The best choice is usually something your teenager is interested in and willing to practise regularly.

Ask them:

What would you like to be able to do that you can’t do now?

That question can be much more useful than simply asking what hobby they want to try.

Because learning a skill is about progress.

At the beginning, they might not be very good at it. That’s completely fine.

The point is that over time they become more confident and capable.

Why cooking is such a useful DofE skill

Of all the possible DofE Skills ideas, cooking has one particularly big advantage:

Your teenager will use it for the rest of their life.

Think about what happens when they leave home.

Whether they’re going to university, college, an apprenticeship, travelling or eventually getting their own place, they’re going to need to eat.

Being able to cook means they’re not completely dependent on takeaways, ready meals or someone else preparing their food.

They can open the fridge, look at what they’ve got and think:

“I can make something with this.”

That’s independence.

And it’s a skill that can save money, encourage healthier eating and give them confidence in the kitchen.

Want to see what your teenager could actually cook?

If you’re considering cooking for the DofE Skills section, you might be wondering what your teenager would actually learn.

That’s exactly why we’ve included a video.

[WATCH THE VIDEO: See what your teenager will be cooking →]

You can see the type of food they’ll be preparing and get a feel for the practical, achievable cooking skills they’ll be developing.

It’s not about turning them into a professional chef.

It’s about helping them become confident, capable and independent in the kitchen.

And yes… you could get a night off cooking!

There’s another reason we love cooking as a DofE skill.

Once your teenager has developed some confidence, why not make one evening a week their cooking night?

They choose the recipe.

They get the ingredients ready.

They cook dinner.

And you get to sit down and let somebody else take responsibility for feeding the family.

It might take a little while before they’re producing restaurant-quality meals.

But that’s not the point.

The point is that they’re learning.

And every meal they make is another step towards independence.

DofE Skills should be about more than completing the award

It’s easy to think about the DofE in terms of completing sections, logging activities and eventually receiving the certificate.

But the real value is in what young people learn along the way.

Choosing a skill that gives them confidence, independence and something they can use in everyday life can make the experience much more meaningful.

And that’s why cooking is such a brilliant option.

It’s practical.

It’s useful.

It’s enjoyable.

And they can keep improving long after their DofE is finished.

Ready to get your teenager cooking?

If you’re looking for a DofE cooking course for teenagers, our DofE Kitchen course has been created to help young people develop practical cooking skills from home.

They can learn new recipes, build their confidence in the kitchen and develop a genuine life skill — all while working towards their DofE Skills section.

And who knows?

You might even find yourself sitting down to dinner one evening and hearing:

“Don’t worry, Mum. I’ll cook tonight.”

Now that’s a DofE skill worth having.