GoGro’s latest Cooking4All sessions in Lincoln continue to be a huge success, offering participants the opportunity to learn practical, affordable, and healthy cooking techniques.
GoGro’s latest Cooking4All sessions in Lincoln continue to be a huge success, offering participants the opportunity to learn practical, affordable, and healthy cooking techniques in a fun and interactive setting.
The not-for-profit community interest company, based in Lincoln, runs this project with funding from the Community Chest. The Community Chest is managed by the City of Lincoln Council utilising funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Investors in Lincoln.
The sessions are held at various locations, including Moorland Community Centre, Ermine St John the Baptist Church, Birchwood Active Nation (in partnership with Birchwood BBQ and Grill), Mint Lane Wellbeing Hub, and Burton Road Methodist Church.
These classes aim to equip participants with valuable life skills, showing them how to cut costs by using fresh, non-processed ingredients that can be used to make multiple meals, as opposed to a single-use cooking sauce, and preparing meals in bulk.
Led by GoGro’s co-founder, Rob Hewis, the sessions are highly engaging and collaborative. Participants actively share their experiences, ask questions, and work together to choose what will be cooked each week, ensuring the course is tailored to their preferences and needs.
The current series follows a continental theme, with each week showcasing a dish from a different country. For example, participants at Moorland Community Centre have so far learnt to make a sweet French dessert, an Italian tomato sauce with homemade spaghetti, a traditional Indian korma-style curry, and a Japanese ramen dish.
Rob emphasises the flexibility of ingredients, demonstrating how they can be reused or substituted to make cooking more affordable and sustainable.
He also encourages batch cooking, showing participants how to plan ahead and use leftovers creatively. For instance, excess tomato sauce or bread dough can be repurposed into other dishes, helping busy individuals save time and reduce food waste.
These small but effective tips help participants save money and make the most of what’s already available in their cupboards.
Cllr Joshua Wells, Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economic Growth at City of Lincoln Council, said:
"We’re proud to fund the 'Cooking4All' project through the Community Chest Fund, as it aligns with our commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen our local communities. Projects like this not only provide practical skills but also help address key issues such as food insecurity and rising living costs.
“By investing in programs that promote healthier, more affordable lifestyles, we’re ensuring long-term benefits for residents and encouraging community resilience. It’s a great example of how targeted funding can deliver meaningful, sustainable outcomes for Lincoln.”
Rob Hewis, Co-Founder of GoGro, said:
“GoGro CIC works in and around Lincoln focussing on different food-based projects. We have helped people to improve their cooking skills, save money, create meals from scratch, reduce intake of Ultra Processed Foods and learn new and exciting recipes.
“We have been granted funds through the City Council’s Community Chest to deliver courses in numerous community venues in Lincoln, including Moorland Community Centre and Burton Road Methodist Church; we wanted to deliver these courses because they help improve people’s relationship with food and through these courses people come together, make friends and to get involved in meaningful activities.”
Beyond cooking, the sessions foster a strong sense of community. After each class, participants go home to recreate the recipes, sharing their results with the group and supporting one another’s progress. As they gain confidence in the kitchen, they also build stronger social connections and engage more deeply with their local communities.
For more information on how to sign up for future GoGro Cooking4All sessions, visit the Lincoln Cooking4All project to choose your preferred location. To find out more about what the sessions involve, you can follow GoGro’s Facebook and Instagram.