Chef on the Farm
The Adopt a School programme, transported to the beautiful East Sussex countryside.
Relaunching summer term 2026, Chef on the Farm is our latest offer for schools looking to boost their food curriculum and spark joy amongst their students for eating well. Available to primary and secondary schools as a standalone experience, or an add-on to the core Adopt a School programme.
A farm adventure
Take a guided tour of a working farm and get up close with different animals to learn about the origins of our food.
Kitchen confidence
Roll up your sleeves for a hands-on practical cooking session with Adopt a School Chef, Simon Young.
A shared social experience
Sit down with your group to enjoy the delicious 2-course lunch you’ve prepared together!
Our venue for Chef on the Farm is Plumpton College, a specialist agricultural learning centre near Lewes in East Sussex. Adjoined by Lambert Farm and the professional indoor cooking facilities of the AgriFood Centre, it is purpose-built to impress and inspire your students!
How does Chef on the Farm work?
On the day of your school’s visit you’ll make your way to Plumpton College for 10.00 A.M. On arrival, your participants will split into two groups and take turns to tour the farm and cook with Chef Simon Young. At lunchtime, the whole group will sit down to enjoy the main course and dessert they’ve prepared together. The visit ends at 2:00 P.M. when everyone heads home.
Who can take part?
Visits can be tailored to accommodate any group of schoolchildren—Year 4 and older, primary or secondary—whether they’ve previously participated in the Adopt or School programme or not.
Each date has capacity for up to 30 pupils, plus four accompanying adults—two of whom must be qualified first aiders. To enquire about your SEN pupils, and any additional support you might need to bring for them, please contact us.
“We can’t thank you enough for such a wonderful day on the farm. It was an incredible learning experience for the children we brought with us, and they have not stopped talking about it. ”
What is the cost for schools?
£300
per 4-hour visit (10:00 A.M to 2:00 P.M.)
up to 30 pupils and four accompanying adults
represents a minimum contribution towards the total delivery cost of each school visit
What’s included?
Two 90-minute tours of the working farm and dairy, led by one of Plumpton’s professional farm educators.
Two 90-minute practical cookery sessions with Adopt a School Chef, Simon Young.
A seasonal, freshly prepared 2-course lunch for all pupils and accompanying adults, including adjustments for dietary requirements.
Welly hire for all pupils and accompanying adults.
Goody bags to take home with recipes and resources from the day!
How to book
Browse the available dates at this link and reserve the ones you’d like for your school.
Within five school days of your reservation, commit to your selected date(s) by submitting a 50% deposit, i.e., £150 for a £300 visit.*
The remainder of the contribution will be due for payment once your visit has taken place.
*Non-refundable desposit, due to advance costs for ingredients, your chef’s time and your farm educator’s time.
Getting to Plumpton
Address: Plumpton College, Ditchling Road, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 3AE
By road: get directions via Google Maps.
By train: the nearest stations are Plumpton, Lewes, and Wivelsfield.
From Clapham Junction: 50 mins to Plumpton station, then 2.5 miles by road to the college. (Southern Railway child train tickets.)
Meet Chef Simon
Our ‘Chef’ on the farm Simon Young brings 40 years of professional cooking experience, including two decades in Executive Chef roles at luxury five star hotels.
Simon is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, a member of the Craft Guild of Chefs and the recipient of several prestigious industry accolades, including Chef of the Year (Hotel Cateys, 2009) and Banquet Chef of the Year (Craft Guild of Chefs Awards, 2007). Simon is an Adopt a School Volunteer and East Sussex local, having grown up in the nearby village of Ditchling.
Contact the Team
Email us: adoptaschool@royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk
Call us: 07887 437 359