Munich Startup: For those who don't know Cook and Code yet: Please briefly explain what it is and how you came up with the idea.
Alex Hoffmann: Cook and Code offers IT courses for absolute beginners. These primarily include programming courses in the area of web development. Participants learn, for example, how to create an app or a website. But Cook and Code isn't just about learning programming; it's also about developing self-confidence in this field.
I originally wanted to finance my studies with programming courses, as I already saw the need for many people to acquire IT knowledge. However, since existing training providers didn't have any trainer positions available at the time, I developed Cook and Code. It also helped that I was working on the Academic Program for Entrepreneurship (APE) of the SCE.
The original idea behind Cook and Code was to connect people with IT problems—like a broken laptop, for example—with IT experts who can solve the problem. The food they bring can then be seen as a form of compensation. This approach worked really well; loads of people showed up with broken devices and food, along with IT experts who easily earned an hourly rate of €200. However, these open meetings were difficult to plan: sometimes there would only be two IT experts for every 30 people. From that point on, it became clear to me that this open model wasn't sustainable and that I should focus on IT training instead. Since then, Cook and Code has primarily offered workshops and seminars for beginners.
Munich Startup: What courses do you offer?
Alex Hoffmann: Our offering consists of crash courses, which are designed to give participants an insight into topics such as HTML, JavaScript, Python or chatbots in 90-minute units.
A new element has recently been added: Cook and Code ClubHere, club members can learn programming through their own projects, such as creating their own website or app. Unlike the crash courses, the courses in the club area build on one another.
Fixed dates like football training
Originally, I assumed that 90-minute crash courses would be sufficient. Over time, however, it became clear that many people would like to continue. And that it helps them enormously to have a fixed time, a dedicated contact person, and a group – we like to compare it to soccer practice, which takes place once a week. The club provides a certain degree of continuity, so what's learned can really stick.
Of course, you can also become a club member without a specific project. We always find exciting things to implement. For example, participants are currently programming the website for a poetry slam.
Munich Startup: What benefits do club members have?
Alex Hoffmann: In short:
- Participants have continuity through fixed dates
- Dates can be freely chosen
- Participants have concrete projects to guide them
- Club members are provided with additional learning materials and learning tasks
- Participants will have access to Cook and Code’s exclusive Slack community, where they can exchange ideas with others and receive concrete feedback
Munich Startup: Does food even matter anymore?
Alex Hoffmann: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, eating meals together is unfortunately no longer possible. However, bringing food to crash courses is planned for the post-coronavirus era. At Cook and Code Club, food no longer plays a major role, as members pay a monthly fee. However, once COVID-19 permits, there will also be exclusive community get-togethers, with a focus on culinary delights and socializing.
“Corona has pushed us into digitalization”
Munich Startup: Keyword Corona – how has this affected Cook and Code?
Alex Hoffmann: It led us to found the club and to providing free learning videos on our website. It pushed us into digitalization—just like schools, for example. The great thing about it is that we can now reach people not just in Munich, but nationwide.
Munich Startup: Programming is still not included as a regular subject in the curriculum – why do you think this is not the case?
Alex Hoffmann: There's still a lack of awareness of how important this topic is. And if parents or teachers don't see it, how will it resonate with children?
My experience is that it depends a lot on the initiative of teachers and parents. In recent years, I have increasingly received Inquiries about private lessonsFor example, many schools would like to have extracurricular activities for afternoon classes because they make it easier to incorporate the courses into the curriculum. But as mentioned, it all depends on awareness and initiative.
Another problem I see is that programming is still associated with the stereotype of an isolated nerd who sits in the basement in front of a computer all day. What many people fail to see is that software development also involves a lot of communication and teamwork, and is therefore the right career choice for people who want to do 'something with people.'
Munich Startup: What would have to happen for this very male-dominated profession to become more diverse?
Alex Hoffmann: This is also a topic that is actually quite contradictory. Originally, there were more female programmers than male programmers. However, with the advent of computers into private households, that changed. Computers became stereotypical of men—perhaps due to advertising.
My experience is that it depends very much on what parents model for their children. The interesting thing is that Cook and Code's children's courses are mostly attended by boys, while its adult courses are mostly attended by women.
Safe space for 'stupid questions'
Munich Startup: In our last interview 2016 There was still talk of a programming café. What happened to that idea?
Alex Hoffmann: Unfortunately, the crowdfunding campaign for this failed. I was often criticized for the €40,000 I wanted to raise, as many people felt it was too high – but experts from the restaurant industry had already told me at the time that I needed a much higher sum. I think these conversations with restaurant experts also opened my eyes a bit. After the crowdfunding campaign failed, I decided to focus on the courses.
And now I have a small location in the center of Munich and can offer what was the basic idea of the café: a meeting place where people can learn programming together.
But if the club becomes established, I can certainly imagine that it could eventually become a café or some other kind of 'safe space' where supposedly 'stupid' questions can be asked. A place that also allows for more diversity.
Munich Startup: Thanks for the interview, Alex.
