The students are all participants in programs with Lifeskills and Mudgee Disability Support Service, who have spent the last few months in a specially funded program offering two classes each week.

Commercial cookery teacher Damien Beard equipped the students with skills they could also use in their home cooking, from the preparation through to plating up and finishing with washing the dishes.

He said the weekly sessions of business education on Mondays and hospitality training on Fridays also encouraged more general life skills such as teamwork and organisation.

Student Jo Jackson loves food and comes from a family of caterers.

She had a great time in the class, particularly when learning to use the deep fryer and cooking rissoles on the barbecue.

“I really liked it,” she said.

“The food’s good; the company’s good.”

Students on Friday offered their guests the choice of hamburgers or fish and chips, followed by a chocolate brownie for dessert.