Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Mammyloveswine · 23/07/2018 21:23

What uni has halls for 3 years???

cloudyweewee · 23/07/2018 21:24

I was in catered halls for all three years as were most of my friends. I was having too much fun to cook!

Original poster
Thesearepearls · 23/07/2018 21:27

He definitely did not know that the university of his choice would involve no cooking. I'm not saying he wouldn't want to go there in any event but who would have guessed there would have been no cooking?

As I say DD (at Newcastle University) had a fully equipped kitchen - not that she used it - in halls and then moved out in the second and now third year to a house which also has a fully equipped kitchen.

It's not something you expect - not being able to cook

OP posts:
Original poster
Thesearepearls · 23/07/2018 21:28

What is a remoska? I will google and see if that helps.

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 23/07/2018 21:29

Why halls for three years?

RoboJesus · 23/07/2018 21:30

Just don't live in halls then, simple

Somerville · 23/07/2018 21:30

I get this is disappointing for him, but, on the bright side, he'll be super enthusiastic about cooking at home throughout the holidays!

forgivenminds · 23/07/2018 21:32

Could he get a portable electric induction hob, we use this camping it's very useful you can get double ones too

LadyPeacock · 23/07/2018 21:33

I guess you are not saying which university so people can't tell you it isn't the case.

I went to an Oxford college that housed everybody for 3 years, and offered 3 meals a day to all. However, the 3rd years lived in college flats that had kitchens and my DH had illegal hotplates in his set before that.

RideOn · 23/07/2018 21:34

Where is this that has 3 years of living in halls?

I didn't live in halls at all (and was there 5 years), I don't know anyone who lived in halls past first year.

Nothisispatrick · 23/07/2018 21:34

Why do you keep telling us where your DD goes and not where your DS is going?

Really odd to be in halls for three years!

RosaMallory · 23/07/2018 21:34

He'll enjoy the delights of smash sandwiches. A friend's recipe when they couldn't cook, where they were renting as students.

LadyPeacock · 23/07/2018 21:35

We didn't HAVE to live in either. I lived out with DH in my 3rd year because he had finished and other people moved out with groups of friends or partners.

BlackForestCake · 23/07/2018 21:37

Part-time job in a restaurant? That would also be useful experience in sharpening up his skills/deciding if he really wants to go into hospitality/road into the trade if he drops out.

spugzbunny · 23/07/2018 21:37

Oh my lord tell us which Uni! Even Oxbridge allow people to move out and live off campus!

Applesandpears23 · 23/07/2018 21:37

If he is really gutted get advise about clearing before alevel results day.

pennycarbonara · 23/07/2018 21:38

There may be regs prohibiting portable hobs and things in rooms due to fire risks.

nocoolnamesleft · 23/07/2018 21:39

Odd, never heard of a uni with compulsory halls residence for the entire course!

Original poster
Thesearepearls · 23/07/2018 21:39

I don't particularly want to name the (admittedly ancient) university or college on this thread. That's not really the point - this is not about the particular university or college.

It's just the fact that in the 21st century,, with all sorts of eating disorders and stuff going on (NB DS does NOT have an eating disorder) there exists a university where people actually cannot cook.

It's a big thing for DS. He'll sit there ruminating over recipes and ask me the relative merits of dill over chives for a particular thing and then go cook the said dish and see. It's a really big thing for him, being able to cook.

OP posts:
bonitabonita · 23/07/2018 21:39

3 words for him
GEORGE FOREMAN GRILL

I had one under my bed at uni and my full English breakfasts were legendary Grin

ToeToToe · 23/07/2018 21:39

I'd say that's pretty unusual - I was in a fully catered hall for my first year, and even we had a full kitchen in our house, so could cook if we wanted. The non-catered halls had really nice kitchens.

Mind you, that was 25 years ago. Perhaps things have changed.

He'll be fine OP - presumably he can't change his choices now? He can cook at home during the long, long holidays Wink

Plus he'll probably spend most of his time getting plastered in the bar, and living off toast if he's anything like me & my housemates

spugzbunny · 23/07/2018 21:40

Well as you won't name which Oxford college it is, I'll assume you are wrong.

ADishBestEatenCold · 23/07/2018 21:40

"DD is at Newcastle and she's a can't cook won't cook sort of person."

"As I say DD (at Newcastle University) had a fully equipped kitchen"

Yes, but which is your son's first choice university, OP?

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 23/07/2018 21:40

Which university?

achoocashew · 23/07/2018 21:42

We are all presuming as you won't name the uni, you don't want to be proved wrong as it ruins your point. Instead of looking at it that way, why don't you name the uni and people can advise if you and he are wrong and he can cook after all....wouldn't that be the better result?

I can't think of another reason why you won't name it.....