Scouts launch updated Chef Activity Badge as research reveals gap in young people’s cooking skills

We’ve teamed up with HelloFresh to update our Chef Activity badge for Scouts (aged 10 ½ to 14), using new research commissioned by HelloFresh from OnePoll. The study has revealed that 99% of parents think it’s important for young people to learn how to cook, and 90% of young people agree. But 55% of young people don’t feel confident cooking for themselves or others.

Cooking remains one of the most valued life skills, but young people are unable to rustle up dishes such as soup (62%), or curry (68%), or even identify recommended portion sizes for everyday food items including vegetables (62%).

To help close this skill gap, we’ve refreshed the badge requirements to be more relevant to young people today, including a new focus on reducing food waste. This launch brings fresh energy and relevance to a long-standing Scouting skill.

The Chef Activity Badge gives young people the chance to build real confidence in cooking, offering a modern update shaped by the growing demand for practical life skills.

Ainsley Harriott, respected Chef and food education enthusiast, joined a group of Scouts at the launch. He said: ‘It’s absolutely brilliant that HelloFresh is partnering with Scouts in order to encourage them to develop their taste in food.

‘Cooking is one of the greatest gifts you can give a young person. When they learn how to chop, stir, taste and portion properly, you can see their confidence grow. Scouts already do brilliant things with food, this badge gives them even more reason to get stuck in.’

Marion, aged 11, a Scout who trialled the badge said: ‘I loved trying the new Chef’s Badge. I learnt so many new skills like how to chop properly and make a meal from scratch. I didn’t realise how much difference the right portion size makes. I’m excited to try the recipes again at home.’

Through our refreshed requirements and new activities, Scouts working on the badge will be given opportunities to learn and test their understanding of food storage and meal planning, develop their basic kitchen skills using a range of utensils and even build on their teamwork skills to cook speedy, healthy meals – with new recipes and menu cards provided.

OnePoll’s study found that more than 1 in 5 adults said that ‘not planning in advance’ and ‘struggling to organise what food they have’ stops them from reducing food waste at home. Participants also said that meal planning, portion guidance, storage advice and cooking skills are the top things which would make reducing food waste easier. Our new activities, created alongside HelloFresh, are designed to build these skills in young people from the start of their cooking journey to make reducing food waste easier later in life.

Dwayne Fields, UK Chief Scout, said: ‘I’m thrilled to see our reimagined Chef’s Badge launch today in partnership with HelloFresh. Cooking is one of the most important skills a young person can learn, it builds confidence, independence and a real understanding of the world around them. This badge gives Scouts the chance to cook tasty meals, understand portioning and reduce waste, all while gaining practical skills they’ll use for life. That’s what Scouting is about: helping young people grow into capable, thoughtful citizens who can make a positive difference.’

We hope that our refreshed Chef Activity Badge will give young people the opportunity to gain the life skills and confidence that the research shows they both want and need.