Food for Thought: Learning, Confidence and Community at Come Cook With Us

When Rob Parr opened Come Cook With Us in September 2025, he wasn’t driven by Michelin stars or a cooking passion, what mattered to him was something bigger: helping people in his community learn how to cook simple, healthy meals.

Like many towns, Blackpool has areas where healthy food feels out of reach financially and practically. Some people have never been shown how to prepare basic meals, which means they rely heavily on ready meals and takeaways simply because they lack confidence in the kitchen. Rob wanted to change that.

A simple idea served with purpose

Rob has created a kitchen on Central Drive in Blackpool where learning meets community. Come Cook With Us offers relaxed, hands-on cooking sessions five nights a week, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to build confidence in preparing easy, nutritious meals.

“A lot of people ignore the need to eat healthily, or they’ve simply never been shown how to cook,” Rob explains. “I want to give people confidence and know-how in the kitchen. I want to provide skills they can take home and use for life.”

Volunteers at the heart of the mission

While Rob leads many of the sessions himself, volunteers play a vital role in the success of Come Cook With Us. All the volunteers have a shared passion for supporting their local community and want to give their time back to help demonstrate techniques, and support people to learn new skills throughout each class. Come Cook With Us offers such a welcoming space filled with friendly volunteers and learners.

“We always need volunteers,” Rob says. “The volunteers we have are just as passionate as I am, and they love seeing the impact of people gaining essential new skills. It is wonderful to see people willing to give their time to support their community, and we often have volunteers call into the kitchen to see how they can help.”

The Academy’s guidance

Rob had previously run his own business and had recognised that starting Come Cook With Us on his own was a very different experience. Through gaining support from the Blackpool Growth Business Academy, Rob wanted to ensure his business was sustainable and capable of making a lasting difference in the community

“I heard about the Academy through networking and by seeing success stories online,” Rob says. “What I needed was someone to bounce ideas off, someone to reassure me I was making the right decisions, and someone who could help me refine my plans.”

Rob was introduced to one of the Blackpool Growth Business Academy’s Growth Specialists, John Townsend. Working together John helped to explore Rob’s business strategy and clarify his thinking.

“John is very enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable,” says Rob. “Listening to him really helped. I already understood some of what he was talking about from my previous management roles, but he explained it in a way that complemented my experience. I wanted reassurance that I was heading in the right direction, and John’s support helped me develop my ideas and my business plan.”

Cooking up real results

Come Cook With Us is already demonstrating its impact. Many people are taking the opportunity to improve their cooking skills as well as find connection and encouragement. Rob’s vision is working, and the wider community is benefiting.

Looking ahead, Rob plans to expand by opening additional premises across the Fylde Coast, particularly in deprived areas. “The Academy’s support has been invaluable in creating a sustainable business,” he explains. “I know I’ll be able to reach out again as I work towards expansion.”

A serving of support from the Academy

Rob is clear about the value of the Academy for businesses at any stage.

“I’d recommend the Blackpool Growth Business Academy to all businesses in Blackpool, whatever point they’re at in their journey. It’s invaluable to listen to someone like John. He’s knowledgeable and can quickly identify where your business plan needs refining, or where there are opportunities for growth. John brings an independent, clear-headed way of thinking, stepping back from emotion and familiarity, allows you to see what’s really in front of you, and where your business can go next.”

Come Cook With Us is a story of vision becoming reality, and of how the right support, at the right time, can make all the difference. Read more about how the Blackpool Growth Business Academy has supported other local businesses on their growth journey here.