Page 15 - Pathways Booklet 2020

Food Preparation and Nutrition

Food Preparation and Nutrition is an exciting, innovative and broad GCSE that covers a wide variety of
topics relating to food preparation, food science, nutrition and wellbeing.
This course teaches you to make connections between theory and practice so that you are to apply your
understanding of food science and nutrition to practical cooking. The course involves a mixture of both
theory and practical lessons, but most of your theoretical knowledge will be acquired through practical
work, practical investigation and experiments.

What will I cover in class?
You will learn a number of challenging techniques, such as how to portion a whole chicken, fillet a fish,
cook a variety of complex pastry items, make fresh pasta and bread, how to thicken sauces and many other
practical culinary skills. You will also be required to present and style your food, as your skills progress.
Food science is also a key element of this course. You will carry out a series of food science investigations
and experiments, to understanding the characteristics and functions of food components and factors
which can influence their composition and use.

What skills do I need to have?
You do need to enjoy cooking and have an interest in food and nutrition. You may need to practise dishes
at home. Be aware that the course does involve written work as well as practical work. The course is not
an ‘easy option’. It is fast moving, challenging and demanding, but is exciting and rewarding. If you enjoy
science and food preparation, this is the course for you!

How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through a formal written examination and two non-examined assessments, both
which must be completed in Year 11:

Written Examination (worth 50% of your final GCSE grade in total):
The written examination is 1 hour 45 minutes long, and is worth 50% of your final GCSE grade. The exam
will assess you on anything covered within component 1 of the course:
• Food commodities
• Principles of nutrition
• Diet and good health
• The science of food
• Where food comes from
• Cooking and food preparation

Non-Examined Assessments (worth 50% of your final GCSE grade in total):
This is component 2 of your course. It consists of two non-examined assessments.

Assessment 1: This is an 8 hour food science investigation where you will be required to carry out a series
of food science experiments and produce a report of your findings. This is worth 15% of your final GCSE
grade.

Assessment 2: You will be required to plan and prepare a two course meal with accompaniments (side
dishes) in 3 hours, to a specific brief. This will also be supported with written work. This element of the
course will take 12 hours in total and is worth 35% of your GCSE mark