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The Scrumptious Thread on Self-Catering at Oxford

I've finally decided that I want to apply to Oxford, so now I need to decide which college to apply to. One of my main priorities is the self-catering facilities (when I get stressed I need to bake cakes to unwind!) although I'd also prefer an older college, which may make this difficult. What colleges are people currently at? And what are the facilities like?
thanks

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Reply 1
I'm at Hertford, which is not good for self-catering, like most colleges.
Reply 2
If you apply to Worcester there's just one place that first years can get that has a kitchen (in 2nd year many more rooms have a nearby kitchen) called 'Worcester House' just outside the college. Although rooms are usually randomly allocated in 1st year you can request a particular room.
Only drawback is that Worcester is not particularly an old college, built sometime in the 18th Century I believe.
(Someone took hundreds of pictures of Worcester if you want to see http://michaelh.hopto.org/~michael/CollegeWalkthrough/)

What are you applying for? :smile:
Poobah
I've finally decided that I want to apply to Oxford, so now I need to decide which college to apply to. One of my main priorities is the self-catering facilities (when I get stressed I need to bake cakes to unwind!) although I'd also prefer an older college, which may make this difficult. What colleges are people currently at? And what are the facilities like?
thanks


Some of the old colleges I've been to has kitchen facilities for third years but first years are expected to eat in hall. I think that St Anne's has self catering facilities but then it is a modern college.
Reply 4
At St John's, about half the first years get accomodation in the Beehive which has a decent kitchen with ovens etc, so chances are even if you're not allocated a room there you'll know someone who is who can let you in with their key. The rest of the first years have basic catering facilities, i.e. two rings, on which to cook. St John's has some lovely old parts as well, particularly two of its quads, so yep, apply there!
Reply 5
I'm applying for modern history. Thanks a lot, I'll check out St. Johns
Reply 6
As far as self-catering goes most of the people just eat in halls because its a lot easier. However, there should be basic applicances such as ovens & fridges etc on every floor no matter where you stay.

BTW I used to go to Cockermouth School and I'm going to Cambridge in October. But I live in Oxford which is why I am reading the Oxford fourm.
Reply 7
Somerville has facilities for cooking- in fact, a lot of cakes were baked by us last year, for a while we got together on Thursdays and baked and pigged out. Unlike some other colleges, you don't have to pay for Hall food in advance- you pay for what you eat as you eat it, meaning no scary bills for food on your battels (college accounts). You can also access a cooker wherever you live, I think, so you don't have to borrow keys or anything :smile: Although the college isn't as old as some others, as it's Victorian, I thought I'd mention it just in case John's doesn't appeal for any reason!
Reply 8
St John's not appeal?? never! :smile:
Reply 9
This seems like a thread on which I could ask a burning question about Magdalen that has been plagueing (sp?) me for ages. Sorry about slight hijack. I just wanted to check whether waynflete has got any cooking facilities at all because i definitely want to make most of my own meals after hall food during interviews! Really grateful for any help.
Reply 10
tom100
This seems like a thread on which I could ask a burning question about Magdalen that has been plagueing (sp?) me for ages. Sorry about slight hijack. I just wanted to check whether waynflete has got any cooking facilities at all because i definitely want to make most of my own meals after hall food during interviews! Really grateful for any help.


yep, there's a kitchen on evey floor in the waynflete :smile:
Reply 11
Thank god for that! And thanks for the reply! Is kitchen 'hob + microwave' or is there a decent oven, four rings etc. I need to know for utensils - i tend to get a bit ambitious :biggrin: . Thanks again.
Reply 12
Poobah
I've finally decided that I want to apply to Oxford, so now I need to decide which college to apply to. One of my main priorities is the self-catering facilities (when I get stressed I need to bake cakes to unwind!) although I'd also prefer an older college, which may make this difficult. What colleges are people currently at? And what are the facilities like?
thanks


Everybody at St Catz has access to cooking facilities!!! :smile: There is a kitchen on every floor on every staircase...this includes a hob and microwave, as well as ovens in some staircases.
Not only does everybody have access to self-catering facilities we also get accomodation for all 3 years.
Catz also has one of the cheapest bars in Oxford....pint of Blackthorns 79p, pint of kronenbourg £1.01, as well as the best JCR as it has the bar next to it. A lot of colleges have their JCR and Bar in separate parts of the college.

its a really social college and i have thoroughly enjoyed my first year.....dont be put off by the exterior- at the end of the day it doesnt count for anything!

good luck
Reply 13
flower86
dont be put off by the exterior- at the end of the day it doesnt count for anything!

Put off? But it's absolutely gorgeous! I'd feel terribly intimidated by all those old buildings at the other colleges; which is one of the reasons I'm going to St Catz. :biggrin: I'm glad to know there's more to it than just its looks though. :smile:
Reply 14
tom100
Thank god for that! And thanks for the reply! Is kitchen 'hob + microwave' or is there a decent oven, four rings etc. I need to know for utensils - i tend to get a bit ambitious :biggrin: . Thanks again.

The kitchens are fairly small (although there is at least one big one with a dining table in it), but as far as I know they all have a big fridge (you get a mini one provided in your room), a microwave and a cooker with 4 rings, grill and oven, although I'm not sure that I'd go as far as to describe it as decent... they mostly work but I know of at least one that challenged those who dared cook in it with on shelf that was sloped at virtually a 45 degree angle :p: There's no utensils provided, so it's useful to bring some or go shopping for some in freshers' week. Also, you can't have toasters in your room but you can put one in the kitchen, so you can either bring one and be certain that you have one to use, or wait and see if some other kind soul on your corridor brings one for the kitchen!
Reply 15
j*k
St John's not appeal?? never! :smile:


The thousands of people at other colleges may beg to differ :p:

(just teasing.. I know what college loyalty is like!!)
Reply 16
Thanks for the details. Waynflete doesn't sound all that bad after all, although I read something recently where it was called 'infamous'. I guess that's just 'cos its horrendously ugly? :frown:
Reply 17
tom100
Thanks for the details. Waynflete doesn't sound all that bad after all, although I read something recently where it was called 'infamous'. I guess that's just 'cos its horrendously ugly? :frown:


just because it's the worst than the rest, and it's the place everyone loves to hate. the general pattern is mock it, have a great time living there, mock it, move on after first year and look back with nostalgia and mock it some more :p: it's not that bad :smile:
Reply 18
I am starting at St Annes College in October, and know that there is food provided in halls Monday to Friday, but am wondering whether anyone knows what happens on a weekend? If catering isn't provided in halls, do people tend to cook for themselves or eat out?
Reply 19
Eat out I imagine. Here at Lincoln we don't have catering facilities (unless we live in one of the college houses in our 3rd/4th year), so on Saturday's when the only hall is a £7 you have to sign up to in advance, we all just eat out...Noodle Bar, junk food takeaways, pub food....the list goes on.