About Jethro
I'm Jethro Carr, founder and director of Kitchen Academy. I've been teaching people to cook for more than 20 years, working with schools, community groups, businesses, private groups and events across the UK.
I set up Kitchen Academy in 2002 and have continued to develop it around something I really enjoy — helping people gain confidence in the kitchen and have fun while they're doing it.
My Approach
My teaching is relaxed, practical and hands-on. I adapt sessions to the people I'm working with, whether that's a group of school pupils trying something new, adults learning a new cuisine, a community group cooking together or a team taking part in a cookery experience.
I believe cooking is a skill that everyone can enjoy, and that the best way to learn is by getting involved, having a go and, occasionally, making a few mistakes along the way.
Over 20 Years of Cookery Education
Since founding Kitchen Academy in 2002, I've developed and delivered cookery experiences in a wide range of settings.
Over the years I've worked with schools, community organisations, cookery schools, businesses and major events, teaching everything from basic cooking skills to different cuisines and more specialist workshops.
Alongside Kitchen Academy, I regularly teach at Brighton Community Kitchen, The Open Bakery and The Kent Cookery School, as well as working on corporate events, team building and community projects.
Examples of school and education work
Enrichment Days – Cookery sessions delivered as part of school enrichment programmes, with timetabled groups attending workshops or demonstrations throughout the day.
Healthy Living Workshops – Practical cooking sessions for primary schools, including healthy recipes and hands-on activities.
SEND Cookery – Hands-on cookery sessions for students with additional needs, delivered in a range of educational settings.
University Events – Cookery activities and demonstrations, including Freshers events.
Community Cookery
Kitchen Academy has worked with community organisations, charities and food partnerships across the South East, delivering practical cooking programmes for families and adults.
Examples of community work
Brighton & Hove Food Partnership – Community cookery programmes, classes and cooking over fire, including work at Wilding Waterhall.
Holiday Activities for Families (HAFF), in Brighton and in Portsmouth – Family cookery sessions delivered focusing on budget friendly cooking for families and working with SEND families.
Active Surrey – Five-week family cookery workshops delivered at community centres across Surrey, with children and parents cooking together and sitting down to enjoy the food afterwards.
National Trust – Changing Chalk – Community cooking projects including cooking over fire at Stanmer Park.
Corporate & Team Building
Cookery makes a great team activity because everyone gets involved – and there is something to eat at the end. I've delivered cookery experiences for corporate groups, conferences, members' clubs and private groups, from smaller hands-on workshops to events involving hundreds of participants.
Examples of team-building work
Large-scale events – A chocolate truffle-making event for 260 participants, with everyone making their own box of chocolates.
Corporate team building – Hands-on cooking sessions, team challenges and bake-off style events designed around the needs of the group.
Conferences and events – Cookery activities incorporated into conferences and corporate entertainment, giving delegates an opportunity to get involved, have fun and eat what they make.
Members' clubs – Workshops including chocolate truffles, Vietnamese summer rolls and sushi.
Private groups and hen parties – Bespoke cookery experiences delivered at venues and accommodation, including hands-on cooking and shared meals.
Events & Festivals
I have delivered cookery demonstrations and workshops at festivals, public events and large-scale programmes, creating engaging cookery experiences for a wide range of audiences.
Examples of events work
Future Food Live – Great Exhibition Road Festival – Annual cookery demonstrations and tastings as part of the festival's Future Food Live programme.
Living Land – Kent Showground – Smoothie Bike activity for visiting schoolchildren.
Kew Gardens & Wakehurst – Cookery demonstrations and workshops.
Abergavenny Food Festival – Cookery school and festival workshops.
Let's Cook
Whether you're planning a school cookery session, a community project, a team building activity or a private event, I'm always happy to discuss what you're looking to achieve.
Every session is different, and I can work with you to create something that suits your group, your venue and your budget.