Chefs heading back to school to share knowledge

Professional chefs are teaching schoolchildren in Plymouth about the benefits of healthy eating and how to prepare food as part of a charity campaign by the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.

Youngsters at Marine Academy Primary school are the first in the South West to take part in the Royal Academy's Adopt A School programme.

It involves professionals who volunteer to deliver classroom sessions across three terms. They cover food sustainability, taste, nutrition and good kitchen practice as well as giving an insight into the hospitality industry.

The lessons are designed to teach children the basics of food and cookery without the need for cooking facilities – which most primary schools lack.

During their sessions, the pupils at the Marine Academy Primary school have learnt about the sensory experience of food, breadmaking, how to choose the rainbow of foods and how to prepare them.

Two chefs from hospitality and catering company BaxterStorey volunteered to lead the sessions at the Marine Primary Academy.

They include its South West regional culinary lead Greg Popek and professional chef Reece Williscroft.

Mr Popek said: "I don't think we teach kids enough how to cook, and I think this is a tremendous opportunity to encourage them."

He said he urged children to challenge their parents about getting involved in cooking at home in a bid to "prompt that younger generation".

Isla, a Year Five pupil at the academy, said: "It's helped me understand how much spice and what sort of vegetables I should use, and how to cook things safely."

While Joshua added: "I've learnt how to decorate and get the right seasoning, and the awesome bit is they let us decorate, but they have a chat with us first about how to make food."

Sophia said: "What I enjoy about these lessons is making new good food and trying new food."

Mr Popek said: "It's fantastic to see the response of kids and the response from the teachers.

"We're hoping that more schools are going to reach out to us, and the Adopt A School programme will reach many more kids."

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