Birmingham’s acclaimed restaurant Asha’s made a heartfelt return to Selly Park Girls' School for the second consecutive year, engaging year 11 pupils in an exciting, hands-on cooking session. Held on Thursday, November 27, the event was organized in partnership with Impact Food Group, aiming to spark young people’s interest in the hospitality industry.
Nouman Farooqui, Director of Asha’s, expressed the team’s enthusiasm about giving back to the community through this initiative. “As a successful restaurant, we want to share our knowledge about food and the dynamics of running a thriving hospitality business,” he said. “Introducing students to this world early on could inspire future careers. Hospitality offers an excellent foundation—skills like customer service are vital in nearly every sector. A warm smile goes a long way, and that’s something we cherish.”
The session began with Asha’s chefs demonstrating two signature dishes: Prawn 65 and Aloo Tikki with chickpeas. Afterwards, students enthusiastically recreated the dishes themselves, gaining valuable culinary experience. Nouman added, “The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Some students even took the recipes home to cook for their families. We plan to hold these sessions more frequently because it’s rewarding to contribute to the community and show our gratitude to those who support us.”
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Miss Stott, Head of Technology at Selly Park Girls' School, highlighted the excitement among pupils leading up to the day. “We are delighted to welcome Asha’s back. This hands-on experience not only enriches their learning but also supports their coursework.”
Ben Massey, Senior Operational Manager of Impact Food Group, praised the collaboration: “A huge thank you to Asha’s team for hosting this event for the second year. It’s an invaluable opportunity for students to gain firsthand insight into hospitality and explore potential career paths.”