Waste not, want not workshop series: Transforming the way you think about food and the seasons.

What you’ll bring with you, create and take home: 3 ways with mincemeat (sweet)

Discover the magic of traditional sweet mincemeat and learn three delicious ways to use it this festive season and beyond!

What you’ll learn Sweet mincemeat is a traditional British preserve that’s absolutely versatile—and homemade versions are so much better (and cheaper!) than shop-bought alternatives. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll discover how to make your own mincemeat and then create three completely different dishes, all bursting with flavour.

Why this workshop?

✓ **Budget-friendly** — Make mincemeat from seasonal ingredients and reduce waste
✓ **Practical skills** — Learn techniques you’ll use again and again
✓ **Festive & creative** — Perfect for Christmas preparation or enjoying year-round
✓ **Take it home** — You’ll leave with recipes and the confidence to make all three at home
✓ **Small group learning** — Hands-on support from experienced instructors

Anyone wanting to master traditional preserving and baking skills, reduce food waste, or get ahead with festive preparations. No experience necessary—all skill levels welcome!

Workshop details

Grow, Cook, Share, Care is a Hands of Hope programme engaging vulnerable groups, those with complex needs, families, especially those living in food poverty, and older people, in learning, wellness and social activities aligned to growing, cooking, and nature.

Suitable for all. Priority for spaces will be given to people meeting the criteria: aged over 50, young carers and young adults with learning disabilities.

There is no charge for this workshop, donations are always welcome!

Please ensure you arrive ten minutes before the start time to ensure we can get everyone registered, and please bring a container to take your home your goodies.

Each participant must book individually so we can monitor eligibility and ensure we’re fully prepared for everyone attending the workshop.

Every year in the UK, we throw away 6.6 million tonnes of household food waste – much of it perfectly good produce that simply wasn’t used in time. Meanwhile, the cost of living continues to rise, and many of us are looking for practical ways to make our food budget stretch further while eating well.

Over a series of two hour workshops, you’ll learn time-tested techniques for preserving seasonal produce – whether it’s from your garden, local markets, or those yellow-sticker bargains that represent genuine savings and rescue perfectly good food from unnecessary waste.

Eating seasonally isn’t just about saving money or reducing waste (though it does both beautifully). Seasonal eating connects us to the natural rhythms of the year, often provides better nutrition and flavour, and supports local growers and sustainable farming practices. When we preserve food at its peak, we capture not just its taste, but its nutritional value too.

By the end of each workshop, you’ll have the confidence to turn surplus into treasure – transforming those “too good to waste” moments into a well-stocked cupboard that serves you year-round.