Food Enterprise & Skills Academy

Practical food skills. Real business confidence. A pathway to self-employment.

EasyStepUK is developing a practical enterprise programme for young migrants and adults who want to turn everyday skills into a safe, sustainable micro-business. Starting with dumpling and bao making, the wider Academy explores food skills, UK business systems and self-employment.

New: youth food and digital skills pilot, ages 18–22

A distinct proposed programme for young people living in England: hands-on food preparation, costing, customer communication, product photography and short-video creation. Participants would work towards a small portfolio to support further learning and work.

Explore the 18–22 youth pilot and register interest

In development — expressions of interest welcome. We are seeking funding. Dates, venue, fees and funded places are not yet confirmed. The wider Academy and the youth pilot have separate scopes; expressing interest does not guarantee a place.

WHO THE PROGRAMME IS FOR

• Young migrants and newcomers, with an initial focus on adults aged 18–35

• People interested in self-employment, sole trading or a small food business

• People with practical or family skills but limited knowledge of UK business systems

• People facing language, confidence, digital or employment barriers

You do not need previous business experience. We will use accessible English, practical demonstrations and, where possible, bilingual support.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS COULD LEARN

1. Hands-on food skills

Dumplings, bao and other practical food products; preparation, consistency, workflow, costing, packaging and reducing waste.

2. Food safety, licences and qualification readiness

Food hygiene, allergens, labelling, risk awareness, insurance and registering a food business with the local authority. Participants can receive guidance on identifying relevant certificates, training, licences and local requirements, preparing evidence and completing applications. Requirements vary by activity and council; EasyStepUK does not issue licences or guarantee approval.

3. Starting a business in the UK

Testing an idea, choosing between sole trader and limited company structures, record keeping, tax responsibilities, pricing and cash-flow planning.

4. Online promotion, self-media and practical AI

Creating a brand, simple website and Google presence; product photography; Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Xiaohongshu and WeChat content; short-video planning, filming, captions and publishing; content calendars, customer reviews and conversion tracking. Participants can use practical AI tools for responsible market research, business names, menus, promotional copy, translation, images, video scripts and customer responses, while learning about accuracy, copyright, privacy and misleading claims.

5. Market testing and business planning

Understanding customers, testing products in a supported environment, collecting feedback and developing a realistic business plan.

6. Start-up funding and application readiness

Understanding grants, government-backed Start Up Loans, social investment and other finance options; finding suitable opportunities; preparing a business plan, budget, cash-flow forecast and supporting evidence; reviewing application questions and receiving signposting or referrals. Funding is competitive. Start Up Loans are repayable personal loans, not grants. EasyStepUK cannot guarantee funding and does not provide regulated financial, legal, tax or immigration advice.

7. Ongoing mentoring and next steps

One-to-one guidance, peer learning, referrals, partnership opportunities and follow-up support to help participants move from an idea to a safe, realistic market test.

HELP SHAPE THE PILOT

We want the programme to be designed with the people who may use it. We welcome expressions of interest from potential participants, food trainers, digital creators, AI trainers, business mentors, employers, community kitchens, councils, colleges, qualification providers, funders and referral partners.

To register your interest or discuss a partnership, use the registration form below or email info@easystepuk.org with the subject “Food Enterprise Academy”. Please tell us whether you are interested as a participant, trainer, mentor, venue, employer, qualification partner or funding partner.