Kitchens & Cooking

  1. How many people share my kitchen?
  2. What is equipment is provided in the kitchens?
  3. What will I need to bring?
  4. Can I cook in my room?
  5. Can I have a fridge in my room?
  6. How do you stop people stealing your food?
  7. Are the kitchens cleaned?
  8. Will the cleaners do my washing up?
  9. Do we get washing machines / dryers in the kitchens?
  10. How much cupboard space does everybody get?

1. How many people will share my kitchen?

That depends on which floor you are on! Small floors (around 10 people) have a single, smaller sized kitchen. Larger floors have a massive kitchen, divided into a large “communal” and a small  “home” sized kitchen – and residents on those floors are welcome to use either.

2. What equipment is provided in the kitchens?

All our kitchens have come with electric hobs, fridges, freezers, toasters, microwaves, kettles and a flatscreen TV. You also have your own lockable cupboard for storage (more on that later).

3. What do I need to bring?

This is what a typical student might bring but you may want to bring more or less stuff depending on how much cooking you plan on doing! Have a look on our extensive list here

  • Plates, Bowls, Mugs, Glasses, Cutlery.
  • Chopping Board, Knives, Wooden Spoon, Cheese-grater, Potato-masher, Peeler, Can Opener.
  • Wok/Frying Pan, Pans, Baking Tray.
  • Pyrex measuring jug, Resealable tupperware boxes.

Electrical appliances from home are not permitted as they pose a fire risk. If you do use them they could be taken away from you – be prepared!

4. Can I cook in my room?

No, this is absolutely banned – the fire risk to all other residents in the building is far too great. If you do so, you will set off our (very very sensitive!) fire alarms, and you will be subject to hall and/or College disciplinary action. This includes the use of cooking appliances in your room, for example kettles, toasters, coffee makers, and rice cookers.

5. Can I have a fridge in my room?

No. The only exception is if you need to have a fridge in your room for a certifiable medical reason (such as for diabetes medication). You must let the Accommodation Centre know in advance and they’ll sort you out with one.

6. How do you stop people stealing your food?

For non-chilled food, it is best kept in your lockable kitchen cupboard. Fridges and freezers are communal, so there is a small risk of people stealing your stuff. However, I find it best to have a marker pen to hand after shopping, and scribble your initials on your stuff (especially products lots of people have and which look similar such as milk and butter) – 99% of missing food is taken by accident. If you think your stuff has gone missing, try to resolve it yourself by asking around your floor: if the problem persists, tell a Warden.

7. Are the kitchens cleaned?

Yes, usually three times a week, and the rubbish bins in the kitchens are also emptied for you.

8. Will the cleaners do my washing up?

No, that isn’t their job, and they have been told not to. Any unwashed plates or cooking stuff will be thrown into the grey crockery bins located in each kitchen: if these items are then not retrieved in a timely manner, they will be disposed of. This sounds harsh, but it is the only way to keep the kitchens clean and healthy for everybody to use.

9. Are there washing machines / dryers in the kitchens?

No, these are located in the Basement, in the laundry room.

10. How much cupboard space does everybody get?

Every resident gets a small lockable cupboard. They have four shelves and are around 30 x 40 cm in area, about 1m high. Additionally, there are communal cupboards (unlocked) with space for eg pans, woks, rice-cookers which don’t easily fit in your personal cupboard.

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