Thursday October 29th 2026
Cook like a champ launch
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A group of care-experienced young people in Edinburgh have launched a cookbook to help others leaving care while raising money to support them in setting up their first homes.
Titled Cook Like a Champ, the book features recipes for all abilities, alongside illustrations and photography, and will be given to every young person as they leave care.
Launched during Care Experienced Week, which runs from October 26 to November 1, the cookbook costs £15, with all proceeds going towards setting-up-home packs for young people leaving care.
The packs will contain essential items such as cutlery, crockery, bedding and cleaning supplies to help young people establish their first homes.
The cookbook was created by Edinburgh Champions Board, a group of care-experienced young people aged 16 and over who meet fortnightly to share experiences, support one another and influence decision-makers.
The group meets at the Corporate Parenting Hub, a city-centre space which opened last year and includes a modern kitchen, living areas and meeting rooms.
Food plays a central role in the group’s sessions, with each meeting beginning with a family-style dinner. This helped inspire the cookbook, which includes simple and affordable meals, dishes reflecting the young people’s cultures and recipes requiring more advanced cooking skills.
The book was launched at a special event on October 29, where members prepared samples of some of the recipes for guests.
Leah, 16, who lives in a residential home in Edinburgh and has attended the Champions Board for a year, is studying at college to become a chef.
Cook like a champ cook book
She said: “I love coming to the hub and spending time with other people in care, so I know it is not just me. We have a great sense of community, and the staff treat us as part of a family.
“I’ve always loved cooking, and the hub has a great kitchen to practise in. The cookbook is great and will mean people leaving care don’t need to worry about what to make, they can open the book and be inspired.
“I’d love us to sell thousands so we can buy more home packs and make things a little easier for people leaving care.”
She added that the packs would include the items needed to make recipes from the book, offering young people some of the practical support others might receive from family when moving into their first home.
Councillor James Dalgleish, convenor of education, children and families, praised the group’s achievement and the cookbook’s design.
He said: “This is a fantastic achievement from the Edinburgh Champions Board, and the book is beautifully designed. I have my copy and can’t wait to try out some of the recipes.”
Councillor Dalgleish also highlighted the Corporate Parenting Hub’s role in providing a place where young people can access support with education, employment and benefits, as well as speak to staff or spend time with others.
He added: “Young people are our future and Edinburgh’s greatest asset, it is vital we do all we can to support them.”
Copies of Cook Like a Champ can be ordered for £15 by emailing corporateparentinghub@edinburgh.gov.uk.
Tweet Share on Facebook
