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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DS has applied to a "no cooking" university. He loves cooking. This is madness, isn't it?

443 replies

Thesearepearls · 23/07/2018 21:12

Just that really. DS's first choice university (we've just done the application for halls) is a no-cooking university. The cooking facilities comprise a toaster, kettle and microwave. There is no cooking allowed for the entirety of his university course.

If you'd asked me what DS would do in a future life I would have given you two choices. The first is singing (he was a cathedral chorister and loves classical music). The second is that he would be a chef. He is absolutely gutted that he won't be able to cook. He cooks for us all the time. He's really keen on it and he is beyond disappointed that the next three years of his academic career will involve zero cooking.

It's total madness isn't it?

OP posts:
MVLipwig · 23/07/2018 21:13

Is this in the UK? Does he have to stay in halls for the duration of his course? I really can’t get my head around that

Racecardriver · 23/07/2018 21:14

Most people only do halls for the first year.

BerysWheel · 23/07/2018 21:14

Why did he choose that uni then? He could surely have found out that there were no uncatered halls before he chose it?

Also - what university is this that he's living in halls for all three years. Cambridge?

ProudThrilledHappy · 23/07/2018 21:14

Dont most students leave halls after first year? That was the standard at mine although we are talking years ago.

He can always use the time to challenge himself to make really interesting meals using only that equipment- may be a useful book of recipes in it for bedsit living Grin

Katinkka · 23/07/2018 21:14

Halls are just for first years aren’t they?

iveburntthetoast · 23/07/2018 21:15

Does he envisage being in halls for all three years? Most students move into shared houses/flats from second year.

BerysWheel · 23/07/2018 21:15

Anyway, he'll only be there for half the year anyway. He can cook when he's home.

Basta · 23/07/2018 21:15

I've never heard of such a thing, but surely he doesn't have to live in halls for the whole course?

SoyDora · 23/07/2018 21:15

As above... halls are for first year aren’t they?

annandale · 23/07/2018 21:15

Buy him a microwave cookery book. Tbh he could write a book about what you can cook with that equipment.

drivingmisspotty · 23/07/2018 21:15

Does sound a bit mad not to have the choice. Will he be in halls all 3 yrs then? Oxbridge? They have very long holidays so he will hardly be there.

Or if he misses cooking he could try and make some friends with their own kitchens/volunteer at a soup kitchen or community cafe/ see if he can find foodie meet ups online/ buy a ‘microwave cookery’ book and perfect his skills?

SoyDora · 23/07/2018 21:16

But yes, they’re only at uni for 6 months of the year anyway! Leaves 6 months for cooking Smile

WhatKatyDidnt · 23/07/2018 21:16

Meh. It’s three years, and only a few months of those years as well. If the uni’s right in other respects, I wouldn’t let this be a deal breaker.

BerysWheel · 23/07/2018 21:17

What is 'total madness' is the fact that he applied there without researching whether the halls had cooking facilities.

It was his flipping decision.

wellBeehivedWoman · 23/07/2018 21:18

It's very unusual to be in halls for the duration of uni - is it not just one year?

AveAtqueVale · 23/07/2018 21:18

Is it Cambridge? If so, he’ll still cook. I was in a ‘no cooking’ college and we cooked quite a lot tbh. So much so my friend managed to set fire to the Grade 1 listed tower she lived in.

Get him a remoska - it’s amazing what you can cook in them!

SueDunome · 23/07/2018 21:19

Oxford, Cambridge or possibly Durham? I'm guessing that's why he's chosen the university.

ClarkWGriswold · 23/07/2018 21:19

Is this in the States? The halls for my study abroad year there were catered only. No cooking equipment whatsoever. We survived.

Original poster
Thesearepearls · 23/07/2018 21:19

Halls for all three years. No cooking allowed. He will be in a good position to produce a microwave cookbook of course. And of course he can (and will be vociferously encouraged) to cook at home.

The whole concept is bonkers though. DD is at Newcastle and she's a can't cook won't cook sort of person. For DS who loves cooking more than most, it's a particular hardship.

OP posts:
wellBeehivedWoman · 23/07/2018 21:19

Even oxbridge students tend to move out of halls after first year

wellBeehivedWoman · 23/07/2018 21:20

So halls are compulsory?! which uni is it?

bridgetreilly · 23/07/2018 21:21

I can't think of an Oxford college where that would be the case, though I'd be willing to believe there might be one. But it's definitely not the norm there, even if you're in college-owned accommodation all three years. At least one or two of those would probably be in college houses with perfectly normal kitchens.

BerysWheel · 23/07/2018 21:21

Which university?

BerysWheel · 23/07/2018 21:22

For DS who loves cooking more than most, it's a particular hardship

Then why did he choose that university? Information about halls and catering facilities is readily available online. It should have been one of the criteria he looked at.

Pippylou · 23/07/2018 21:22

Halogen oven and Instant Pot, run off 13A plugs, will be able to produce pretty much anything. :-)