It is that time of year when the children of Christchurch are being encouraged to try some cooking techniques and brush up on their healthy eating knowledge. The team from the Christchurch Food Festival Education Trust are carrying out eight days of cookery workshops in the Boroughs primary schools.

Last week the children of Christchurch Junior school from years 4 and 5 took part with many cooking for the first time. After seeing a demonstration of fruity pork chops they each chopped away and produced a leek, bacon and potato omelette, root vegetable soup with pearl barley and a steamed trout with local vegetables. So many of the children found that they loved eating foods which they hadn’t tried before and certainly felt proud to have learnt new cookery skills.

The sessions which are free of charge to the schools consist of a short demonstration and a talk on nutrition by leading local chefs, followed by the children going on to cook three healthy recipes. Techniques such as learning to chop and dice vegetables and cutting food safely are covered. They will also learn how to build up a tasty recipe using left overs and to use a cooker hob safely.

Organiser Mary Reader who is the founder and President of Christchurch Food Festival and a trustee of the charity said

“The best bit is the tasting and trying new flavours and a chance to review what they have learnt, before being given the recipes to try at home. We so often find that the children are surprised to find that they do like the food and it makes it much better when they have helped to cook it themselves.”

For more press information please contact Mary Reader on 01425 837961.